by Ally Prince
The sound of slapping skin filled the air and the scent of horse shit was overwhelmed by sex.
“Reach down and touch yourself, babe. I’m so close, you’re so fucking tight. I’m ready to blow.” My hand slipped down to find my clit, it was awkward as Mason pounded into me from behind but so worth it. I had barely touched my button when my body grew tight with need and a few more little nudges and my body let go.
It started in my toes and slowly overtook every fiber in my body. A strangled groan fell from my mouth as I let my hand fall away and Mason’s pounding kept my orgasm going and going.
“Fuck,” he roared, his pace picking up and my body screaming in ecstasy.
“Mason,” I panted out as my muscles gave up and I sagged over the saddle and let Mason finish up. Three more powerful strokes as he pushed home and held himself deep while he roared my name, louder than necessary. Thankfully, the house was well out of earshot.
My channel gripped him, reacting to the feel of his release inside me. It clenched and relaxed, milking every last drop he had to offer.
“Jesus, Pen. You’re going to kill me, baby.” He chuckled a little, leaning forward to press a kiss on the heated skin of my back.
“I’m starving,” I mumbled toward the floor as my body was still sagged over the saddle.
“Let’s clean up and I’ll take you out for dinner.” Mason slipped free, and I missed him almost instantly. Stumbling around in the dark, I heard his cuss and then the room flooded with low yellow light. I pushed back on my feet and stood up. Slowly, I bent forward to find the edge of my jeans and pulled them up.
“Fuck, Penny.” I stood and looked over my shoulder, but Mason was on me before I could move. His mouth claimed mine, his hands gripping my face as he kissed me with desperation. When he pulled back for air, I was panting again. My hands holding him tight as I felt his release run down my legs. Argh, what a mess.
“We should go eat or I’ll fuck you again and Logan will get suspicious.”
I nodded, looking up into his warm eyes a small smile tugging on those swollen lips.
It didn’t take us too long to right ourselves with the light on. The tack room was nice for what it was, I’d never been in the new one and now I’d never forget it.
Mason
I wanted her again, my dick already swelling just at the drunk look on her face when she eyed me. She was fucking perfect. We’d go eat and then later tonight I would have her in my bed again until she would struggle to walk.
I found my hat under the edge of a cupboard and picked it up before pulling open the door and leading Penny out.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” a deep angry voice roared as we halted in our tracks. Penny hid behind me. I tried to play it cool, but fuck. I placed my cap back on and then looked over at where Logan’s long legs were striding toward us, eating up the distance real quick. His face grew red, hands in fists at his sides, and I could hear him huffing out a breath through his nose. He was pissed.
He stopped a few feet from us. His eyes going from me, taking in my obvious disheveled manner and then looking at where Penny hid behind me. They then narrowed on where my hand joined hers, tightly.
“Tell me you didn’t.”
I stared at my best friend of thirty-odd years and I wasn’t able to lie to him.
“It’s always been her,” I offered. I tried to keep my tone neutral, I didn’t want to scare Penny, I could feel her trembling behind me.
“What the fuck does that mean?” He threw his hands in the air and they fell to his sides. “Penny, get out here and talk to me.”
I stepped forward, not at all happy with the tone in which he was using. He cocked a brow, but I didn’t back down, I would never back down where Penny was concerned.
“Watch it,” I warned, my other hand fisting, but not wanting to anger him anymore I tried my hardest to stay at ease.
Penny mumbled into my back, literally mumbled and I didn’t catch a single word, but Logan did.
“Explain,” he snapped, his eyes on what little of her he could see. I gave her hand a squeeze, slowly she moved out to stand next to me. She nuzzled into my side, and I had no choice but to let her hand go and wrap my arm around her. The obvious display of affection deepened Logan’s frown. The dude would need Botox if he kept that up.
“Who drove my drunk ass home no questions asked? Who let me cry and yell and scream? Not just anyone would drive to visit me at college because I wanted to see a friendly face. Who have I always trusted?” She kept her voice gentle and soft, it made me smile down at her.
“Mason did that?” The frown grew. “You visited her?” He directed at me.
“Well, yeah. She was having a hard time.” She broke my fucking heart when she called in tears. It was over silly little things like following a random guy around a supermarket because he smelled just like her dad, but she needed me so I went, no questions asked. And then she stopped calling, apparently got a boyfriend who was an asshole and broke my heart again.
“Fuck,” Logan spat dropping his head forward. I hated seeing my best friend so torn, but Penny was his family, and I understood the need to protect her. “You’re serious then?” His eyes glared into mine. When it came to Penny I was deadly serious.
“Not a doubt,” I stated. Penny hugged me a little tighter, I relaxed a little.
“But you’ve had girlfriends.”
And my body tightened. What was he trying to prove?
“I never said I was a saint, Logan. And I haven’t had a girlfriend since college.” I wasn’t waiting for Penny to grow up because that would be hella creepy, but I wasn’t feeling it with anyone. Each time I dated and got to know a girl something felt off, so I gave up. The tantrums and name calling got old real quick.
Logan lifted his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. Clearly thinking, hopefully, he wasn’t about to throw a punch at me, I’d hate to have to kick his ass. “So, when did this start?” He motioned between us.
“Before college,” Penny blurted at the same time I said, “After the fire.”
“Before...” He seemed to consider her words and then his fists were back and the look on his face said it all. He was not a happy camper. Penny tensed beside me, and I tried to move her behind me a little, away from him.
“How old was she?” His voice had risen, and he had stepped closer. I heard Penny swallow as Logan reached for her arm. He tugged her away from me by the wrist. She squawked in pain and that was all I needed. I launched forward and got between them.
If I didn’t know about Penny’s past I wouldn’t have noticed how white she turned, how her eyes were pleading, her body begging, but she stood in stunned silence. I wouldn’t have been able to pick the tremor in her fingers as her brother held her. I knew Logan would never hurt Penny, she knew too. Right now Penny’s past lurched to the forefront of her mind, but I didn’t care if Logan came at me with an ax I was protecting her.
“Take your hand off her.” The low growl of my voice even surprised me. Logan took his eyes from his sister and they landed on mine. I slid a hand down Penny’s arm until my hand touched his. “Let her go, Logan.”
Penny whimpered next to me and Logan let go and stepped back. His eyes on his sister. “Penny, what’s going on?” He softened his tone and his anger seemed to melt away as he looked at her with nothing but worry and confusion etched on his features. Her whole body shook. I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her, letting her burrow in.
“We will finish this later,” I offered Logan. Our eyes met and thankfully he nodded and stepped back. Without a second thought, I lifted Penny into my arms and walked toward my truck. She was mine and no one would hurt her. Logan would need to know her story soon, but first I wanted to reassure her she was so fucking loved.
Chapter 9
Penny
Monday drinks never sounded sweeter. When Kayla called during my lunch break sounding cheery and welcoming I thought why the hell not. I was young, I needed to live. D
ickwit Brian, yep he had a name, could go eat a dick for all I cared. I was done letting him control my life. He’d done it for too long and it was time to live again and not worry about what might happen. Even though I talked it up as not a big deal, I knew there were risks with a person like him. I hoped he had moved on to someone else and I also hated the thought someone was suffering like I did.
We met at Walkers. Harry eyed me but said nothing as I walked in with Kayla.
I must admit she looked a hell of a lot better compared to what she looked like just last week.
Her smile was wider, her eyes clearer, and she seemed relaxed with not a care in the world.
Good for her.
We ordered a beer before finding a booth and taking a seat.
We chatted about common everyday stuff for a few minutes, just testing the water after all the years. But it didn’t take long to find a comfortable groove.
“So, tell me all about your man.”
I eyed her over the top of my beer. “My man?”
“Duh! You don’t check your cell that often if you’re not waiting to hear from someone.” She was right. Earlier I’d sent Mason a text to say I was busy tonight and I kind of hoped for a dirty little text in response but all I got was a ‘Yup.’
I had avoided Logan for the past few days. I didn’t want to hear what he had to say because I knew what it was. I had, however, answered Lucy’s call and assured her I was fine, she didn’t need the stress. Sophie was having issues, and I prayed it had nothing to do with her lousy parents, I don’t think Luce could handle that right now.
I had spent the rest of the weekend with Mason, it felt right. I tried my hardest not to read into it too much. I know he said this was it, but I wasn’t sure he even knew himself what that meant.
“Well, I’m kind of seeing my brother’s best friend.” Talk about a cliché.
Kayla sipped her drink, her blue eyes scanning me then turning a little to look out the window. “I know, I know him,” she hummed to herself a little and then in the loudest inside voice she all but yelled, “You’re screwing Mason Mansfield?” In her excitement, she bumped the table, and I had to lift my drink real quick or wear it.
“Jesus. Yes. Shh…” I felt my cheeks heat, and I was too scared to look around to see who had heard.
“Shit. Sorry,” she whispered across the table her face in a huge smile, eyes eager. “I had the hots for him back when I was a teen. All that dark hair, dark eyes. He’s tall and toned. Yup, loved him.” I snorted a little at her words. Mason was a high school crush for many, me included.
“What about you?” I waggled my eyebrows but Kayla’s face went void of emotion in an instant. Shit! “Okay, sorry. Let’s talk friends.” I tried to bring her back by talking about people I still kept in contact with from high school, it took about two minutes to exhaust my list.
“I left Rove.” She was talking into her drink but I would take the tidbit of information.
“That’s a good thing, I’m sure.” I had asked Mason about him and he didn’t have a good word to say in reply.
“Yeah, well, Daddy doesn’t think so. It’s a black mark on his next campaign. No, I’m a black mark on his campaign.” She sighed and sagged back in the booth, eyes scanning the small Monday crowd. “What I wouldn’t give for one night with a man who could make me forget.”
“I know what that’s like.” I had used Mason for that exact reason. We shared a sad smile.
“Okay that was a mood killer, let’s talk happy talk.”
So we did. We spent the next two hours chatting about everything and anything until her cell refused to stop vibrating and she was lost to me again.
“Well, thank you for coming out with me tonight. It was nice, refreshing. What I needed I think.” She offered me a hug, one I returned with force.
“You’re welcome, just give me a call.” We moved through the parking lot toward our cars.
It was kind of eerie that we both stopped at the exact same time, both sensing something no woman should have the ability to sense. Pausing, I tried to see through the shadows, to find what or who was out there. I dug my cell out of my bag and was about to send Mason a text when a figure emerged from between two trucks.
“Oh, shit,” Kayla whispered taking a step back.
“Evening, ladies,” a slurred voice stated as he approached. I shot off that text saying ‘Issue hurry parking lot,’ and hoped Mason would figure out my code and send help. That was if he wasn’t busy. I really hoped he wasn’t busy tonight of all nights.
“Rove.” Kayla’s voice betrayed her and it wobbled, sounded weak, and the jerk smiled as if he already had a victory.
“What you doing out, Kayyylaaa?” Her name was slurred and drawn out. He came to a stop a few feet away, and I noticed with absolute trepidation he held a bat, a baseball bat. My heart rate picked up and I could sense panic as adrenaline rushed my system. I should run inside, but I didn’t want to leave Kayla’s side. Perhaps if I yelled loud enough someone would hear. I glanced toward the bar, not a soul to be seen. Shit.
“I’m allowed out, Rove. I’m not a prisoner anymore.” Rove tensed and then moved the bat into sight. I didn’t miss Kayla’s intake of breath.
“I brought your old friend.” The laughter that rang out through the silence chilled me to the bone. Kayla trembled beside me her hand coming to my arm to give me a small squeeze.
“Let me say goodnight to Penny, then we can chat.”
Like fuck I would be leaving her alone with him. I swung my eyes in her direction. Our silent conversation seemed to consist of eye movements that meant ‘no fucking way’ and, ‘but you have to,’ followed by a ‘please.’
Shit.
Rove mumbled something, his feet moving across the gravel, the stench of whiskey growing stronger the closer he got. I could see my car over his shoulder, but I really, really didn’t want to get in it and leave her. There had to be another way.
Like music to my ears, my cell rang loud and clear. Rove watched me as I placed it to my ear. “Hey Lucy,” I said, trying my hardest not to let the fear that raged inside me come out in my voice.
“What the fuck, Pen. What’s wrong?” Mason’s tone was less than friendly.
“Give me two secs,” I said to Kayla and Rove, and I took a few steps back. He watched but didn’t do anything else.
“Who are you talking to? And are you at Walkers?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know crazy, hey.” I fake laughed, and it sounded fucking awful.
“Penny.” His voice was low and stern.
Jesus! Mason, ask the right questions.
“Send help,” I whispered before launching into a conversation about my schedule and upcoming excursion.
Mason cursed. “I’m calling Harry right now. Don’t do anything silly,” he warned, but I knew that was impossible. Because if Kayla needed help then I would support her.
“Lunch sounds great. Speak soon.” I ended the call bringing my attention back to Rove and Kayla, and... fuck.
I dropped my cell and broke into a sprint to cover the small space between us when he’d moved to get his hands on her. Kayla whimpered as her hands gripped his arms while he tried his hardest to cut off her air supply.
“Take your hands off her.” I was screaming, hoping someone would hear. Without thinking I tried to pry him off and then kicked him in the balls, enough that he let go and we both fell to the ground.
I rolled to my side seeing Kayla’s tear-stained face. I reached for her and was about to ask if she was okay when blinding pain like nothing I’d ever felt smashed through my arm, then my shoulder. Instinct told me to cover my head and try to be as small as possible, but the pain was too intense. Movement out the corner of my eye showed people coming out of Walkers, and I remembered thinking it was about fucking time but then my world stopped and darkness descended on me.
Mason
Hospital waiting rooms were the worst. They were loud, the television screen blared, kids ran around, p
eople yelled, cried, and got violent. All while you’re waiting for news on whether your loved one would be okay. They didn’t give a shit if someone was dying, their infected fucking splinter was more important than everyone else, even a three-year-old with a staple in his thumb.
I moved toward the loud mouth guy who was making every single person in this room uncomfortable. Luckily, Logan slapped a hand on my shoulder and stopped me.
“He’s being a fucking inconsiderate asshole.” I spoke loud enough to get his attention, I would take him on.
“Come, sit down, we’ll hear something soon.”
It had been two fucking hours since we’d arrived.
The tone of Penny’s voice set me on high alert and when I called Harry and told him to get the fuck outside, my truck was already making its way on a county road. When I slid sideways into Harry’s parking lot, my lights lit up a scene I never wanted to see again. I slammed my truck in park, leaving it in the way, and raced toward Penny.
There was a petite blonde at her head, holding it. She was bawling, and mumbling she was sorry over and over again. I slid across the gravel on my knees not caring that my jeans ripped and small stones embedded themselves in my skin. “Penny,” I roared, hands coming to her pale face.
“It’s her arm.” The girl spoke softly. My eyes found the arm in question and fucking hell, bile rose and I had to look away.
“Who did this?” I snapped at the girl. She used her head to motion over and I followed with my eyes. They landed on where Harry and two other guys had a man pinned to the ground.
“Where the fuck are the paramedics?” It shouldn’t take this fucking long. As if they heard my curse sirens filled the air and things became frantic. They took Penny away and that angered me. It had me stalking toward the coward that Sheriff Rayner was shoving in his cruiser.
