by L. E. Harner
Patti pursed her lips. Tap, tap, tap. Her fingers bounced on the rim of her mug. He wanted to wait her out, but she was always better at this game than he was. Tap, tap, tap.
“Okay, he is fucking gorgeous. So is his wife. So what?” Even he heard the sulky edge to his voice.
“So…did you do ‘em?”
“Jesus, Patti! What the fuck do you take me for?”
“A man slut. Duh. I’d do ‘em.”
Giving in, he laughed. “God, Red. Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Not today.” She smiled smugly. “So are you going for it?”
“Not even close. He’s a kid. Twenty-two, twenty-three, tops. Plus, you know I don’t like married couples. It’s always fun ‘til someone gets hurt. And with couples…someone always gets hurt, no matter what they say going in.” He swallowed down his finally cooled coffee, while he thought about what he wanted to say. He needed to reroute both their thoughts.
“I’m tired, Red. I don’t like my life. I’m drinking too much, spending too much time at the club, doing too many different scenes. And at the end of the day, there’s no one who really matters.”
“Is that why you hooked up with Mel for the summer?” She referred to his ill-fated summer fling. His mind drifted back to the previous morning and the bitter goodbye with Melody. He knew better than to treat people as objects, but that had been what he’d done to Mel. Used her to assuage the emptiness in his life. He couldn’t blame her for hating him. He was pretty sick of himself right now.
“Yeah. I fucked up there, too,” he said, shaking off the memory.
“Honey, you don’t need to waste your guilt on Melody. She picks a new guy every six weeks and then dumps them as soon as they start to get too close. She’s only pissed because you dumped her first. Believe me.” Patti shook her head. “God, if I’d known, you were going to be that desperate, I’d have slept with you myself,” Patti said. She laughed and he gave a mock shudder.
“Gah. We tried that once, remember? It was like kissing my sister. No thanks. I like you better as a friend.” He covered her hand with his.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Diane said from behind his back. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.
Patti jerked her hand back, as if scalded. “Hi. Uhm. You didn’t. I was just leaving. Nice to meet you.”
“Sit, Red. Diane, meet Ranger Patricia Cox. She is one of my oldest friends and is certifiably insane because she climbs in and out of this big ditch for a living.”
“Nice to meet you, call me Patti.” The women shook hands across the table, then Patti smiled her snarky smile and Gabe saw mischief written all over her face. “Anything you want to know about the doctor here, just ask. I know all the dirt. Now, I really do have to go, I’m at work, after all.” Pushing back from the table, Patti took her travel mug and walked over to fill her coffee from the pot. When she returned, she set her cup down, and wrapped her arms around Gabe from behind, then gave him a tight squeeze.
“You be safe in the back country. Don’t make me come look for you.” She turned and stopped abruptly. “Oh, damn. Hello there. Guess you’re with Diane. I’m Patti.”
“Uriah.”
“Got a last name, Uriah?” Patti asked. Her voice didn’t sound at all happy anymore.
Gabe twisted and looked between Patti and Uriah. Although the remote part of his brain was pleased the room was no longer spinning, he still couldn’t quite put together what had suddenly gone wrong. Patti stood ramrod straight, her hands loose by her side in what Gabe liked to tease was her fighting stance. What the hell?
“Wadsworth. Uriah Wadsworth.” Uriah’s face was closed off, as expressionless as a statue, but his mood seemed to swirl around them, like a black cloud, full of thunder and ready to burst.
“Interesting. Nice to meet you, Wadsworth. Gabe, walk me out.” He looked from Uriah to Patti, then over to Diane. Not one of them met his gaze. He shrugged for his own benefit then stood, only remembering his sore muscles when he staggered sideways getting up from the bench. Uriah’s big hand caught his arm and steadied him.
Patti was already out the door, and he quickly followed. Maybe she would tell him what was going on.
As soon as they were clear of the porch, Patti whirled. “Where did you meet him?”
“On the trail. What the hell is going on, Patti?”
“Nothing, it’s just…nothing. Look, at first I thought he was somebody else. It’s not the guy, but—just be careful, okay? The last name’s the same…so is the look.”
“What did the other Wadsworth do that has you so fired up?”
Pursing her lips, Patti blew out a puff of air. “He was sniffing around one of the locals.” She forestalled his response with a raised hand. “This guy is not all there, Gabe. There was some kind of scam or con…I just don’t know what it was. I thought it was over, when—Look. You don’t know these people. I think maybe your instincts were solid when you thought you should stay away. Maintain some professional distance.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth, I didn’t say that. Besides, I think it might be a little late to keep things completely impersonal.”
“Why…what didn’t you tell me? God damn it, Gabe. You were lying to me in there, weren’t you? I should have known better. I thought you didn’t want to get involved.”
“I didn’t. I don’t. Fuck.” He ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a breath. He looked up and saw Uriah in the doorway watching them. They stared at each other until Diane came out and put an arm around Uriah’s waist. The big guy put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side. Together the two of them stood and stared, their gazes never wavering.
Gabe broke eye contact first and turned back to Patti. “I think it might already be too late. When I woke up this morning, my dick was in his hand. It was fucking happy to be there.”
“But, I thought—“
“It wasn’t anything planned. We all drank too much and passed out. I don’t even think he knew what he was doing. I got up and left before anything else could happen, okay?”
“Honey, that’s not what it looks like from where I’m standing.”
“Yeah. Not from here, either.” Gabe resisted the shudder at the memory of that big hand. “God, Patti, he’s all attitude. He treats his wife like shit, he’s rude, overbearing. And so fucking young.”
“In other words, just your type.”
“Yeah.” Shit.
Chapter Four
Diane was tired after their day hike to Rainbow Falls. They had both been strangely quiet, but for a change, she and Uriah had found a comfortable peace with each other and the day passed quickly amid the stunning views. Now, she moved around the small cabin, picking up their belongings and reorganizing the backpacks. It was amazing how quickly you could settle into a place and leave stuff strewn about. She wanted to leave well before sunrise so they could get most of their hiking done during the cool part of the day.
Tomorrow they would hike twenty miles carrying heavy packs over mostly unmarked terrain. She had to admit, the heat and the wildness of the canyon intimidated her, but she had confidence Uriah could get them where they needed to go. At least they’d be closer to the river for the next couple of days, away from prying eyes.
After finishing with the backpacks, she shifted her attention to the hydration packs and added a packet of sports mix to each to help keep up their electrolytes. She replenished the easy-reach pockets, making sure each was packed with nuts, pretzels, and granola bars. Emphasis had to be on the salty, so their bodies would be able to process the quart of water they would to drink for every hour of hiking in the killing heat of the inner canyon. The snacks and water would keep them alive, as long as they were smart.
The door swung open, and suddenly, the small cabin seemed filled with Uriah. Freshly soaped and shampooed, wearing nothing but a pair of khaki colored hiking shorts. God he was beautiful. All that copper skin and raven-black hair, so casual in his near-nudity. Every muscle w
as sculpted, the skin smooth, nearly hairless. Her mouth watered at thought of licking over those brown penny nipples, nibbling her way over his flat stomach, and lower to taste the essence of him. Wanting Uriah had never been a problem. Diane sucked in a breath when he turned his dark gaze in her direction.
“Diane,” he said. His voice rasped against her. Just the one word, her name, such a primal entreaty. His naked need poured over her, gasoline to soak her fuse and the flame of desire burned dangerously hot between them. This was such a bad idea, had always been a bad idea.
Afraid…she was so afraid. This man had the power to destroy her, the passion between them more than her wary heart could handle…and all that she’d ever wanted.
As if they reached flashpoint, they were moving toward each other, a fiery explosion of want and need, burning away the last vestiges of reason, of resistance, of sanity. They crashed together, his mouth like a fever, the scrape of his teeth along her neck, the glide of lips across her jaw, until their mouths fused in hungry kisses.
Uriah took them down, falling onto the mattresses, cradling her against his chest. He covered her body with his, propped himself on his elbows and cupped her face in his big hands. The curtain of his damp hair fell around them, and for a long moment, he just looked at her. His face was unreadable, carved in stone, and she longed to know his thoughts, but she wouldn’t ask. They both knew that was forbidden…only she knew she’d been moving inexorably toward this moment for years.
“Diane.” He whispered her name against her lips. A benediction. “Diane,” he said again, as his mouth moved along her neck. A prayer. “Diane.” His big hands slid her camisole over her head, then his face was pressed against her, his breath feather light, just before he took her nipple into his mouth. Then she was flying as he pulled and rolled, nibbled and sucked. He worshipped her and the fire built. Her breasts felt hot, swollen, tight. His large, calloused hands were rough against her skin, creating friction, feeding the flames.
When he finally moved lower, his greedy mouth trailed over her stomach, and she hurried to help him remove her shorts. His tongue traced over ribs, dipped into her bellybutton, then still lower. Uriah positioned himself between her legs and pushed her knees up against her chest, brutally exposing her.
“Christ, Diane. I’ve wanted to taste you for so long,” he said. Then his mouth was on her, his tongue parting her labia, flicking lightly over her clit. He pressed a full, open-mouthed kiss against her pussy, and thrust his tongue inside. She raked her fingers into his silky hair and held on tight while he fucked her with his mouth.
“Oh, God,” she said. She was gasping for breath against the assault. “Yes. More.” His wicked tongue moved to rub then flick at her clitoris, and he thrust in first one, then two thick fingers.
“I’m sorry, I’m rough,” he murmured. “I can’t wait, Diane. Not this time.”
“Yes,” was all she could think to say, and she hoped he knew she wanted it just exactly this way. Rough, hungry with a desperate edge.
In a move so fast it left her gasping, he flipped her over so that she straddled him. She skimmed her teeth along his neck and down until she found the tiny nub of his nipple. She bit down, tentatively at first. When his back bowed and he let out a moan, she tightened her mouth and suckled.
“Shit. Fuck. Good.” His hands were moving, doing something with his shorts, but she paid no attention. Until she felt the skin against skin.
“You like that?” Diane asked. She rocked her hips against his, the length of his cock pressing against her pussy, spreading the juices, creating the unique smell of them. “I want more, Uriah.” Her clit was throbbing, aching for relief. She found his other nipple and sucked hard enough to raise a mark. He bucked and a hiss of air escaped between his teeth. So, Uriah likes a little pain. Nice.
The tear of the condom packet broke through her sex-hazed brain and she realized only one of them was thinking clearly. She met his gaze and saw the wanton desire, his eyes so heavy, so dark, they were nearly black. She took the condom from him and scooted backwards to kneel between his thighs in order to sheath him.
Uriah was big man, and everything about him was in perfect proportion, even his cock. Engorged with blood, darkened to a deep brick red, his dick stood proud and dripping with need. She bent to breathe in the scent of him and smiled when he twitched and the brush of his cock left a swipe of moisture on her cheek. Unable to resist, Diane lapped at the swollen mushroom head, tasting the salty, spicy essence of Uriah Wadsworth for the first time. Oh yes, even better than she’d dreamed.
“Mmm…I want that, Uriah. Next time…gonna suck all that down, next time—” Her words cut off as she slid the velvet steel of him into her mouth.
****
Jesus fucking Christ! The whole damn cabin is going to ignite if these two get any hotter. Should I get naked and then clear my throat? Or clear my throat and then get naked. Hmm…harder to send me away if I’m already naked. God, I love to watch, and these two are beautiful together. What to do, what to do.… Naked it is — then I’ll watch.
Gabe stripped, confident the sounds Uriah was making deep in his throat as Diane sucked his dick would keep them both distracted. He didn’t plan to hide his presence, but there was no sense in interrupting a very fine blowjob.
Quietly positioning the room’s single chair, Gabe sat, and from his viewpoint, he could see Uriah’s long, powerful legs splayed across the mattresses, and Diane’s back arched, highlighting a narrow waist that flared into a sexy inverted heart. The twin globes of her ass were pale as moonlight as she knelt over her husband. Uriah’s cock glistened and his hips pressed up as Diane’s lips stretched and slid around his girth.
“Stop. Wait. Goddamn, Diane. I fucking want inside you,” Uriah said. His voice brushed like the whisper of whiskers against skin, sending shivers down Gabe’s spine.
“Yes,” Diane agreed. She quickly rolled on his condom and then crawled up until she straddled his hips. She reached to guide him inside her, both of them clearly in a hurry.
Gabe had other ideas. “Don’t move,” he said.
Diane inhaled sharply, then she dropped her head forward so that the tips of her hair brushed against Uriah’s chest. “Shit,” she whispered.
“Fuck,” Uriah said, looking directly at him. They stared at each other for a long moment then Uriah’s gaze traveled downward, settling in the vicinity of Gabe’s lap.
Diane seemed to recover first, and she started to reach for a sheet, clearly thinking to cover herself. Her voice was breathless, and she spoke quickly. “Oh God. I’m sorry, Gabe. I don’t know what we were think—“
“Please. Don’t stop, Diane.” His voice sounded tight, felt strained. She looked over her shoulder at him, her hand outstretched, her body shivering with need and shock. The moment was a frozen tableau, a decadent goddess poised above her earthly gladiator. In that moment, Gabe knew he was lost.
Diana, goddess of the moon and the hunt. Uriah, her mighty warrior. Have I ever seen a more beautiful couple? Whatever their problems with each other might be…together in bed, naked? Sheer artistic perfection. I know better than to get involved with a married couple, but God help me, I can’t walk away.
****
Uriah shivered at Gabe’s words. He waited a long beat, unsure he would be able to stop now that he’d gone this far. His heart thudded hard inside his chest as he waited to see what Diane would do.
“I want to watch,” Gabe said again. His voice was raw as whisky. “I want to watch the two of you. Nice and slow. Uriah. Let me see what you’re doing.”
“Yes,” Uriah said. His own voice was thick, husky. He sat up, putting his face close to hers. “Turn around, Diane.” God, the idea of making love to Diane was at the top of his all-time fantasy list. Always forbidden, always out of bounds. Now here she was, naked, wet, hot. The truth was he’d wanted Gabe to watch…had expected the other man would follow him, and had called to Diane, anyway. Now, he wondered if she would refuse.
> With a deep sigh, she shuddered beneath his hands, then her hesitation seemed to melt away. He lifted her as she turned, until she was sitting between his outstretched legs, her back to his chest, both of them facing Gabe. A very naked, very hard Gabe.
Uriah wrapped his arms around Diane and took a breast in each hand, hefted the solid feel of them, massaged. Then he pressed her breasts together and lifted them slightly, as if in offering to Gabe. The nipples puckered and tightened into hard little pebbles. She dropped her head back onto his shoulder and moaned with pleasure.
He kept his eyes locked on Gabe’s face, even as he stroked lower, feathering his fingers over her skin, through the silky triangle at the apex of her thighs. Uriah’s senses were overwhelmed. He was touching Diane, but watching Gabe mirror his every movement. Gabe’s hand traced across his chest and pinched his own nipple. Long, slender fingers followed the sweet, soft brown trail of hair to the thick bush at the base of his cock, then lower to squeeze his own balls.
Diane moaned when Uriah draped her legs over his thighs, and exposed her to Gabe. She writhed under the ministrations of his thick fingers as he gathered her moisture and rubbed against her clit. Her hips bucked against his hand as he slipped in one, then two fingers, slick and hot, until he felt her spasm around him.
Gabe spit into his hand and grabbed his cock. Then he moistened his lips, gaze fixed on Diane’s pussy, on Uriah’s hands, and he began to stroke.
“I want in you now, Diane,” Uriah said. He used one hand around her waist to lift, even as the other snaked between them and he guided the fat head of his cock to the mouth of her pussy. She helped by propping herself on her haunches. Then, with a gentle rocking motion, Uriah slowly worked himself inside. He closed his eyes at the sensation. Tight, sweet silky heaven.
He wanted to savor the moment, make this night last, memories for a lifetime. It would never happen again, could never, but for tonight Diane was his. Molded so tight to her body that he could feel the beat of her racing heart, his hands traced along her thighs, skimmed breasts, tortured her clit. He was surrounding her…surrounded by her. Everywhere but where he most wanted to be…her heart.
