by Ali Parker
“Sounds like you set an alarm. Do you mind?” I offered my help, extending a hand, and he seemed relieved as I took it and swiped off the alarm. “You don’t remember setting that?”
“Hell, I didn’t think I did. I guess that’s another thing I need to learn. I was doing fine without that damned thing in my life, and now I don’t know if I can do without it even though I don’t know how to work it.” He took it back from me and placed it on the desk. “Mason had all his numbers programmed in and pictures, and I can’t figure out how to use the camera for that. He set up some of my numbers.”
“I can show you how. It’s not hard.” I took the phone and swiped on the camera and snapped a selfie. “See, right here, then.” I snapped another picture of him. “Now, I’ll go into your contacts and add my picture by my number.”
“I don’t even think I have your cell number in there. I have the main house.” Suddenly his eyes widened about the time I noticed something he’d listed.
“The wife?” I met his eyes which were full of horror, and his face was beet red. The number listed was my main line. “Did we get hitched and I missed it?”
“Mason must have done that this morning at breakfast when I told everyone I was going to ask you to stay on. He was supposed to be resetting my time zone so my clock would work.” His jaw tensed like he wanted to punch his little brother.
“Well, now you know who set that alarm.” I added my name, number, and photo to the contacts as I wondered what his family had thought about me being around full time. I wasn’t sure any of them cared that much. I’d been around my whole life, so maybe they expected it. “Now, you’re all set. And you can call me if you ever need any help. I’ll walk you through it.”
He watched me as I added his picture to the front screen. “Thanks. I don’t use it much except for family, but it’s proving convenient when I’m out in the field. I hated having to walk all the way back to the house to make a phone call. Dad forbade us to have them, you know. Because of the tower stuff. It took some convincing.”
His Dad was as stubborn as my own. The two had always been so much alike you’d think they were brothers. “I bet. I wish they were friends again. Daddy was so much happier then, even though the two of them did so much bickering about sports.” We shared a laugh. Our Dads were both terrible about their football but never let the game get in the way of their friendship.
I passed it back to him, and he brushed his finger across the screen as if scrolling. “Did you change the other?”
I laughed. “No, I thought it was sweet.”
He shrugged. “Mason says we’ve been married since we were five.” He shoved the phone into his pocket and met my eyes.
I liked the idea of it. “I guess I can’t blame you for thinking it’s silly.”
“I didn’t say it was silly, but I didn’t want you to think I put it there. I do like having a direct line to you though.” He waggled his brows and gave me a smoldering look.
If he had any idea how much that look affected me, he’d reel it in, then again, it might make him try harder. As much as I wanted to keep things professional, I wanted to pull him closer by his shirt and kiss him deeply. I wanted to pull off his cap and throw it to the floor before gripping both sides of his shirt and ripping it open to reveal his sexy chest. I met his eyes and returned the same fire. “Do you?” As soon as the words left my lips, I wished I had thought of something sexier to say. I wished I’d been bolder.
“Yeah, you never know when I might need you.” Thunder clapped outside and brought our heads to the window, breaking the intense gaze we’d shared.
The rain started pouring harder. “I thought it was clearing up? Good thing I brought my car.” Seconds later the wind picked up and the sky turned an ugly shade of green. Mason rushed into the office and slammed the door behind him.
“It’s getting ugly out there. Where’s Luke?” His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. “We better call him.” Mason took out his phone and in seconds had it to his ear checking up on Luke. He swiped the phone and returned it to his pocket as Ted and I waited to hear his whereabouts. “He’s in the hay barn in the back forty. He didn’t have time to make it back, so he ducked in there. Said he’s pretty sure lightning took that big maple out beside him.”
My nerves were on edge as the rain picked up, blowing into the side of the metal barn and the office window as if being sprayed with a garden hose. I hoped there wouldn’t be any more lightning strikes or worse, a tornado, but that was the life in Oklahoma. I wrapped my arms across my stomach to feel safe and hoped that it passed quickly. Memories from my childhood when we’d hidden in the storm cellar flooded my mind, and I tried hard not to think of all the destruction I’d seen in my life. Luckily, our home had never been taken. A warm arm went around my back as Ted pulled me in close. It was nothing more than a protective gesture, and he and Mason both crowded around me.
“We might have to break for the shelter.” Ted gripped me tighter, watching the ceiling as if anticipating it being ripped away. “You both stay close if we do.”
“Surely it won’t get that bad.” I turned to hug his side and Mason met my eyes, holding my gaze. His own eyes were full of worry, and I cringed thinking of poor Luke all alone in that hay barn.
Mason shrugged and then flinched as lightning flashed and thunder shook the ground. “I think it already has. We better get to the cellar.” He rushed to the door, and I could hear the roar of the twister in the distance, a sound I’d never forget.
Ted scooped me closer and hurried me out into the barn where the horses were going crazy. Suddenly the sound died down, and the rain stopped its violent downpour. Before we made it around the corner, the wind died down returning everything to a calm, and we stood there breathing a sigh of relief. As soon as it started, it was over.
Ted took off his cap and wiped his brow. “Dammit, that was close. Lauralee, you better call home and check on everyone. That thing touched down somewhere.”
I grabbed my phone and tried to dial, all the while terrified that it had hit my home. “It’s not working.” I raked my fingers through my hair, never minding the curls. Bad day for a hairdo, indeed.
Ted motioned to his brother and stared at my phone. “Maybe the tower is down? Look out the window.”
“No, it’s still there,” he called across the room. “It must have got something. It’d be a miracle if it didn’t.”
My heart sank, and I felt I was all alone in the world. “I have a terrible feeling.”
“What is it, Lolly?” Ted pulled me in close again.
I swallowed the lump that set up residence in my throat. “I feel like I’ve just lost my home.” The feeling engulfed me and settled down so deep into my bones I couldn’t shake it.
Chapter 25
Ted
The storm had ripped through our area, and thankfully, Luke made it back home in one piece as soon as it passed. Our home had been spared, and after the longest drive of my life over to the Langston’s to take Lauralee home, we learned that everything at her house was in one piece as well. We had lost the big maple that Luke suspected had been struck by lightning, a few stretches of fence, and some tin off one of our barns. The Langston’s had suffered about as much, including a few trees out in their pastures. It could have been so much worse, and I spent the rest of the day cleaning up the storm’s mess and thinking about how terrified Lauralee had been.
I hated to see her so helpless, especially when I was feeling the same way. Storms like that were the great equalizer, showing us all we’re nothing compared to the strength of mother nature. Lauralee had been so sure something horrible had happened that I couldn’t get her home to find out fast enough, and I’d never been so happy to see the Langston’s bright yellow house as I was then when it came into sight.
After hours of work and checking fences, I finally found myself with some downtime and sat on my bed staring at her picture on my phone. All I had to do was push one little button to talk
to her. I contemplated doing just that to test it out. I could call and see how things were. I could ask if they had everything cleaned up or if they needed any help even though I was sure their farmhands had done the work.
The picture showed off her bright eyes, and I couldn’t miss how the angle allowed me to see right down her shirt. She had the hottest tits ever, and I suddenly reminded myself of my brother and how giddy he was over his goddess from Kinsey’s. I wondered if he’d figured out her name.
Lauralee was my goddess, and I remembered the day I licked the spilled cream from her breasts. The way my tongue twirled around her cleavage, taking every drop. My cock hardened thinking about it and the way she’d given herself to me so freely. I imagined her knelt before me, her lips stretched around my head nursing it slowly. I adjusted myself, shifting my weight and spreading my legs a bit. Noticing my door was locked, I slipped my hand down into my shorts and palmed my diamond-hard length. The thing was so hard it could probably cut glass. I hadn’t touched myself in a while, with most of my needs being fulfilled by others and surely not since Lauralee had been with me again.
No one else would ever compare to the way she loved me, the way she worked me, and the way she made me feel. I gripped my erection, closing my fingers around the base and giving it a good upward stroke. My toes curled at the sensation, and I continued to work myself, two nice tight pumps and then I’d let my palm roll over my head. I closed my eyes and imagined Lauralee using her tongue on me, the way she’d licked the head of my cock and teased it before taking it whole into her mouth, her throat accommodating my girth and length like it was made to be there. I thrust my hips upward dreaming of her eyes gazing up at me, watching me watch her and coaxing her deeper. I wanted to wrap my fingers around her ginger braids and pull her closer, thrusting my hips as I fucked her mouth.
“Fuck.” The word escaped from my lips, breaking through the silence of my room and I contemplated putting on the radio. Instead, I pulled my lips in tight and worked my base, tightening my hand to milk the sensation. A glistening pearl of pre-cum emerged, and I spread it around, working it into my cock.
I missed her like crazy and wished she was there beneath me. I’d slide inside her and nudge my way deep, thrusting my head into her depths until she begged for mercy. I had too much I wanted to do with her still. Too much I wanted to show her and share. I needed another chance. When I thought that storm would get worse, my instincts were clear. Get her to safety, and then that sinking feeling came over me wondering if it were too late. I was prepared to push her under the desk if need be and cover her body with mine. I’d do anything to protect her.
My thoughts were all over the place, and my toes curled at the sensations boiling through my body. Every fantasy I’d ever had began and ended with her, even the ones that contained other people, though she’d die knowing how many threesomes she’d had in my mind. I never wanted to be without her, but I didn’t know what to do or how to go about it.
My head rolled back as I worked my cock, and I spit in my hand to lubricate when necessary. I shrugged off my shorts and then tugged my heavy sac and massaged it in my palms as I got closer.
I imagined her riding me, her beautiful face hovered over me like an angel, her lips parted as if at any moment she’d moan out as the pleasure took over. Her slick channel would work me until I spilled deep inside her. Then I’d grind it in good and deep. I tensed, the thoughts sending me over the edge, as hot streams erupted onto my chest and stomach. I milked the last drops as I rode out the waves of pleasure and then collapsed against my bed. The thought was so dirty, but I’d always wanted to throw caution to the wind and do her raw. I’d never done anyone that way before.
With the thought still in my mind, and my seed still warm on my chest, my phone rang. I jumped up seeing Lauralee’s face on the screen and grabbed my phone from the bed beside me. I tried to calm my breathing, but it was no use. “Hello.”
“Hey, it’s me.” Her voice was soft, and her mood seemed down from the tone. “Are you okay?”
I cursed under my breath and went to the bathroom to clean up. “No, I’m good. I was working out a bit; doing some sit-ups.” It sounded like as good an excuse as any. “I was thinking about you though.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I was wondering if you all got your trees cleaned up.” I toweled off, pulled on a pair of shorts and went back to my bed.
“Yeah, things are great here, but I wanted to let you know that the Stutt house was destroyed. I didn’t know if you’d heard. The windmill took a pretty hard hit too.” I heard her sniff on the other end and wondered if she was holding back tears. The house had meant the world to her, and even though part of me never wanted her to have the place with anyone else, I wanted her dreams to come true.
I breathed a sound of disappointment. “Can it be repaired?” I wondered if it were a total loss or if the mess just made it look like it.
“The house is scattered across the pasture. It seems to have picked it up and dropped it about twenty feet away. Well, what was left of it. The windmill is missing some blades, and it’s shifted.”
“Dang, Lolly, I’m so sorry. I know how much it meant to you.” Sure we’d all thought it was a little silly for her to want an entire huge farm for herself, but I never intended on her being alone.
There seemed to be a hollow sound to the background on the other end. “It’s okay. No one wanted me to get it anyway, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to buy it. Daddy is probably happy.” I heard a clear sniffle on the other end and wanted nothing more than to dry her tears.
“He wants you to be happy like I do. I can’t see him being happy that you’re miserable.” She was probably right about him. He was as hell-bent on his little girl staying under his roof her entire life as my parents were about keeping their family close. Only David had been given a pass to leave, and that was only because he was so miserable here.
“That’s sweet, but you know how he is.” Water dripped and splashed in the background, and I realized she must be in her tub. My brow lifted wondering if I were right. I pictured her lying there naked, and my spent cock twitched. Down boy.
It was time to be the sincere and caring friend, not the horny ex. “Maybe you can find another place. You might even like it better.”
The silence stretched out for what seemed like forever, and she finally spoke. “Thanks for driving me home. I’ll walk tomorrow so I can drive my car back.”
“I’ll come and get you. The path is still too wet.” My eagerness probably sounded as silly as it made me feel. “Call me when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Ted. You’re a great friend.” The words sank in like rocks plummeting to my gut. That’s the way she wanted it now. Friends. No matter how protective I’d been, she never would see it as more. She wouldn’t allow herself. I needed to give her time and ease her back in. My heart sank even worse at the thought. The last time we’d had issues it had taken us years to get things right. I couldn’t wait that long again. I couldn’t pull the same tricks as before, hell, I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to drown my heart in booze and women. I wanted it soaked in her love. “Ted?”
I shook out of my internal battle and realized she’d been calling my name. “Yeah? I’m here.”
“You got quiet. I thought maybe the call had dropped. The tower’s been acting spotty since the storm. Anyway, never mind.”
I could tell by the way she said never mind that there was definitely more on her mind. She had always been that way, and when we were kids and something weighed on her heart, she’d always use the same line. “Don’t tell me never mind. You know that won’t do with me. I know you better.”
“You do know me. Probably better than anyone. I don’t know, I guess I wanted to say how glad I am things are working out. Do you think it’s for the best?” I heard the water move around her and imagined it barely covering her breasts and tight nipples. It sure made it hard to focus, but I tried my best to answer her with the reassur
ance she needed while making a point of my intentions.
“I think we’re doing fine. I think we’ve needed to let go of so much of the past and move forward. I’m not sure I’m convinced it’s all there is to us, but if you’re happy in the moment, then so am I.” I hoped she understood that I would entertain the way things are, but I wasn’t necessarily going to always settle for friends only.
“But being friends is nice, isn’t it?” Her tone made me question if I’d said something wrong. Maybe she only wanted reassurance of our friendship and not if I wanted more in the end.
I took a deep breath. “Yeah, being friends is great. Are you naked?”
She giggled. “At the moment, yes. I’m in the tub.”
“Friends don’t talk to friends naked.” Good thing she couldn’t see the grin on my face and I hoped I didn’t make her think I was complaining.
“Special friends do. Especially if the friend has already seen you naked.” Her voice lifted with laughter.
“Well, you can call me naked anytime you want. Maybe I’ll do the same for you?”
The laughter filled the room on the other end, echoing across the water. “Are you naked?” She whispered the word, and I could only hope her grandmother wasn’t listening at the door. Or worse, Bailey.
“No.” I looked down at my shorts which were bulging in the front despite my massive ejaculation. “But I could be.”
I heard her gasp, the large intake of breath causing her to hiccup. “You’re so bad, Ted. I better get off of here before you take our friendship to familiar heights.”
“Suit yourself.” I was a breath away from begging her to stay on the line, but I knew better. I’d have to let her go and play my part. But I vowed that the next time she called me up from the tub, she wouldn’t get away so easily.
