by June Beyoki
“Oh, of course not,” he answered with a chuckle, and she braced herself as he cut over a few lanes to turn towards the highway.
“So, where are we going?” she asked, eyeballing him suspiciously.
“Have you ever been to Tuckahoe?” Tuckahoe was a town just west of Richmond.
“No, I don’t really get out much.”
“You don’t say?” he teased, heading out of town. She appreciated that he was trying to lighten her mood. “Then, this is going to be a real culture shock for you.” He laughed and hit the gas going at least ten miles over the speed limit. His driving wasn’t unlike her own, but it had a whole different purpose behind it. Clarke sat back against her seat and relaxed into blank thoughts as Vince turned the radio back up, singing along to every song. She even found herself quietly humming to a few on the way, but not loud enough that he could hear.
Soon, they exited the highway and approached the “Welcome to Tuckahoe” sign. She watched out her window as the historic downtown area approached. It was booming with traffic on foot and in cars. There were people blocking parts of the street, and she could hear music playing over speakers that must be mounted outside the bars and shops that lined the area. Vince pulled up into an empty lot where cars were randomly parked everywhere with no clear parking spots and helped her out of the car. He walked with her up to the main street still lined with bricks from when the original town was built. She looked around to see people in shorts and cowboy boots or jeans and western shirts with cowboy hats. She suddenly felt very overdressed.
“I don’t think we’re dressed for the occasion, Vince,” she commented loudly as they walked underneath a speaker playing a Garth Brooks song. Country had always been a strong culture in Virginia, but she had never really taken part. She was more of a hip hop and pop kind of girl. But there was a certain charm to the simplicity of everything.
“You look great, so why do you care?” Vince asked, leading her into a shop at the end of the block. He opened the door for her, and she looked at him for a second, contemplating what he said. He was right; they weren’t at some high society party. It didn’t matter what she was wearing as long as she felt good.
Clarke stepped into the door and instantly smelled alcohol; specifically beer. It was a small local brewery, and there were a few people hanging around inside trying various types of beer. Vince went up to the man at the counter and paid for a couple of glasses with the business name on it; “Virgil’s Brewery”. Vince passed her a glass. “Help yourself to whatever beer you want to try. The amber is over there to the left, the lagers are to the right and the ales are behind us.”
Clarke looked around, feeling lost. She’d never had beer; only wine and champagne. She had always thought it was more of a guy thing. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she admitted, looking at Vince apologetically.
To her surprise, he didn’t ask questions or make fun of her. Instead, he took her around to each area and let her take a little sip before she decided, explaining each type. “Wow, this one is really good, actually. I thought beer was supposed to taste like piss and rubbing alcohol or something,” she commented after trying one of the amber ales.
“Well, look at that; Clarke is trying something new and likes it,” he teased. “Fill up your cup if you like it. I’m going to go get some lager.” She watched him walk away and blushed guiltily as she noticed how nice his ass looked in his jeans.
She placed her glass under the tap and wondered what was on the agenda next as a Miranda Lambert song blared through the speakers, causing a group of barely legal young women to squeal happily and start singing along and out of tune. She had a feeling they’d had more than their fair share of beer.
She sipped at her beer as Vince came back to her side with his glass filled to the brim with a dark liquid. It was almost the color of coffee. When she had tried it, it left a bitter taste in her mouth. “I don’t know how you can stand that stuff,” she said, wrinkling up her nose. It even smelled bitter. He looked over at her with a sly grin before dumping the rest back down his throat. He set the glass down on a table behind him, looking triumphant.
Clarke took that as a challenge and decided to down the rest of her drink as well. She tilted her head back and gulped it down. But as she brought the glass back down, she almost tripped on her own two feet; her head swimming dizzily. Vince steadied her and took the glass from her hands for her. “I guess I wasn’t quite ready for that yet,” she said with a soft chuckle. “So, what’s next?” she asked, looking around.
Vince looked down at her and laughed, removing his hands from her. It left her feeling a little cold. “How about that?” Vince pointed out the window where a bunch of people had blocked the street and started line dancing to the song playing over the speakers. She wasn’t really one to dance, especially in front of people or to country music, but she had to admit they all looked like they were having a good time.
“I’m not so sure, Vince. I think I might make a fool out of myself.”
“Well, then you’ll have an even better time laughing at yourself, won’t you?” he answered, taking her by the arm and leading her out the door. He waited for the next song to start as they watched the group stomp and turn and slap their legs in unison. Everyone seemed to be smiling and laughing. But Clarke found herself feeling nervous and jittery like she never had before. It was something like stage fright. She looked over at Vince and felt her stomach do a flip. She realized she was nervous about Vince seeing her screw up, which felt strange. She’d never cared what a guy thought before, not like that.
As the next song came on, Vince motioned for her to follow him to the back of the line, finding a spot next to a couple of other people. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she began moving, watching Vince for cues. She copied his every move, trying to stay on the beat. Her heart was beating fast as she tried to keep up with everyone. She felt a rush of adrenaline as her body responded to the music almost without her thinking. The movements began to become automatic, and she found herself clapping and slapping as enthusiastically as everyone else.
“See, it’s not so hard!” Vince called to her, and she nodded, continuing to move to the music. When the song was over, she was ready for more, deciding to stay out in the road with the others. She waited to hear what the next song would be and froze in front of Vince when a slow one came on. It was “To Make You Feel My Love” by Garth Brooks. Everyone was coupling up to dance or going back to the sidewalk and shops.
Vince held out his arms and cocked his head questioningly. Without giving another thought, Clarke just went along with it. She had agreed to try things his way, and she’d enjoyed it so far. Why not just run with it?
She felt her face get hot as he placed one hand in hers and the other on her waist. She put her arm on his shoulder and let him lead. The song was sweet, and she couldn’t help but listen to the words. It was about a guy letting a girl he loved know that no matter how much she doubted him, he would always be there to prove to her all the things he’d do for her because he loved her. She wondered if those feelings actually existed in the world or if they were just pretty words that chemicals made you say when you felt lust for someone new.
She followed Vince’s feet but then looked up to see his eyes shining. Maybe he was thinking about the song too. She kept silent in that moment as the song finished, but as soon as it did, she broke away and made her way back over to the sidewalk. She wrapped her arms around her body as goose bumps gave her chills.
Vince followed Clarke and smiled at her. “So, are you having fun?”
“Yes, thank you,” she said softly. “For more than just this. I don’t think I could’ve held it together at that dinner party if it weren’t for you, though I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“All I saw was an insecure woman who doesn’t know quite how to be a mother and a daughter struggling for approval that she doesn’t need,” Vince replied. Clarke smiled up at him, liking the way he described
things. He was so good at making the hardest things seem so simple.
“I think I better get home now. Thanks for showing me your world,” she said, walking towards where the car was parked.
“This isn’t my world, Clarke. The whole world is my world. The same goes for you. This was only my second time here.” He added the last part like an afterthought. She looked at him in shock as he smiled, his dimples digging in again looking too sexy.
There was something contagious about the man’s smile that made her happy yet uneasy at the same time. She had never been in a real relationship with a man before because she never thought that they were permanent….men and love doesn’t last, at least that was what she gathered from her mother. Love and love’s expectation had turned against her mother and made her a bitter woman.
Clarke snapped out of her trailing thoughts to see Vince starring at her And when he bent down and kissed her, it caught Clarke by surprise but she found that she was enjoying the kiss. His lips were soft and yet commanding. He nibbled her lower lip and suck intermittently until her entire lips were flushed. His tongue started to tease her encouraging her to open up to him, so much so that soon all her negative thoughts were forgotten.
They were quiet all the way home but it was not an awkward silence which seems funny to Clarke. When they entered Clarke’s house, Vince leaned into her and started kissing her as if they had not left the car park. She pressed herself closely to him, all this time their tongues and lips exploring one another. She was backed up against the wall, and his long fingers slid down on her back lightly squeezing her round buttocks and pulling her even closer to him..
He nibbled her earlobe as he said “Mmm, you taste so good.”
Hearing him say that made her legs numb with anticipation. She was already so wet for him that it’s intoxicating her whole body. She moved her hand to his bottom and unbuttoned his jeans to release the massive erection there. He reached for her dress, lifted it over her head and dropped it onto the floor. His breathing was getting faster and faster as he lifted her up and carried her to her room. He removed his shirt and whatever remaining clothing left. His mouth found her nipples as he unhooked her bra with expert fingers. His tongue teased her nipple while his hands explored her private part which was swollen with desire. She moaned as he put his finger inside her. Then his kisses went lower to her abdomen and even lower still until she felt his tongue on her clit. His tongue licked her clit back and forth until she could not stand anymore.
Clarke was ready to explode when he thrust into her. Then he pulled back before grinding into her over and over with her legs wrapped around his waist. His massive cock filled her like she has never felt before. He was kissing her again, his tongue squishing in her mouth as he thrust his cock deeper and lifted her into greater heights. Her orgasm rocked her to the very core as she joined him in the explosion inside her, and Vince calling out her name “Oh god! Clarke!”
Chapter Fourteen
Clarke stepped into the office and looked around. Everything in the shop had been repaired, and the place was back up and running. All her employees were on hand for a grand reopening that Monday morning, and she was happily exhausted. Vince had even added some extra touches, painting the office with some navy and custard yellow stripes, giving it the character she had always hoped it would have.
She smiled and sighed, feeling like she had opened a new door and closed another. Business was about to be booming, she could just feel it. But she couldn’t help but feel a bit heavy thinking about the fact that Vince no longer had a reason to stick around. Although the sex was the best she had ever experienced, it was hardly a good reason for Vince to stay now that his restoration job was completed. It’s not like they were really a couple or anything of that sort though Clarke had developed a fondness to having him around. He made her see things differently.
Clarke’s phone buzzed, and she reached for it, sitting down in her comfortable office chair. Her mother’s excited voice came through the receiver. “Clarke, I have some amazing news to share!” Clarke rolled her eyes; sure the news was about some local celebrity or something else shallow.
“Alright, make it quick, Mother. I’m at work, and it’s pretty busy.”
“Oh, you can spare a moment for this,” Mrs. Bennett scolded. “Apparently your cousin, Vanessa met this man from Kentucky a few months back and had this whirlwind romance. So, it turns out that he owns some race tracks.” Clarke sighed, feeling annoyed. Of course her mother would find that to be big news. He was rich, and her cousin was only 25 or 26. She was set for life.
“That’s great, Mother,” Clarke said, unenthusiastically.
“No, that’s not the half of it, Clarke,” her mother continued. “They’re getting married! Your Uncle Toby just called to tell me. There’s going to be a big wedding in a couple of weeks before they move to his huge estate in Kentucky. He asked me if maybe you could be in her wedding since they’re putting this all together so fast. I think it’ll really get you some points if you do this.”
Clarke did not like the idea of walking down the aisle with some rich stranger and being paraded around by her mother at a rushed wedding that was going to be way over the top. And she didn’t feel the need to have the kind of points her mother was referring to. But Vanessa and Clarke did used to be really close. “I guess I can do it for Vanessa,” Clarke said, giving in.
“That’s so great; I’ll let her know! We’ll have to get your dress fitted right away. I’ll call you back with all the details.” Mrs. Bennett hung up, and Clarke leaned back in her chair, wanting to hit herself for being such a yes-person. She heard a knock on the door and looked up to see Vince standing there.
Clarke stood straight up, only just then remembering she had told him to come by to pick up his check. Ever since that night together, she’d felt a little nervous around him. She didn’t know whether to treat him like a hired worker, a pretend boyfriend or boyfriend, or a sexual acquaintance. She definitely hired him to do her renovation works and he proved to be an expert at what he does. She has no idea why he even agreed to be her pretend boyfriend, not that he had much choice after she put him in an awkward situation. Although sex was great with him that doesn’t automatically make him her boyfriend ~ and she wasn’t on the lookout for one. After that night, she felt awkward whenever Vince was around. She has avoided talking to him except for the necessary things on the shop renovation. She had never had a real relationship before. She believed that love does not last for long, and all her sexual encounters were instant stress relief with no strings attached.
She dug in her desk for the check she’d written and handed it to him. “Here’s the money. I put a little extra in there to cover the whole pretending to be my boyfriend thing.” She clammed her lips together and wrung her hands as he looked at the small slip of paper in his palm.
“Don’t patronise me, Clarke. I’m not a gigalo hired to impress your mother,” he blurted out. “I did it because I wanted to and didn’t expect to be paid for it,” he said with flicker of anger in his eyes.
“I’m sorry…...it’s just that I appreciate you helping me get out in a difficult situation.”
“And you expect me to graciously accept your payment and then disappear out of your life? Is that what you want, Clarke? I thought last Friday meant more to you than this,” he said with both his palms up questioning Clarke’s behavior.
Clarke found herself feeling stumped. On the one hand, she is quite fond of his presence and she could use him as a date for her cousin’s wedding. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be fair to him to keep up the charade. “I don’t know, Vince. I mean….”
She was suddenly interrupted as Katie walked into the office. “I’m sorry, guys, but Clarke, your mother insists on seeing you right this second.” Clarke gave Katie a confused look. Hadn’t her mother just been on the phone with her? What could she possibly want? But sure enough, Mrs. Bennett appeared right behind Katie, making Clarke’s blood pressure shoot through t
he roof.
Yet again, Clarke let her body move before she had the time to really think through what she was doing. She leaned into Vince and planted a lingering kiss, right on his mouth. As she pulled away, her eyes flickering open, she could see that Vince had stiffened up and was trying to hold back his shock from Clarke’s impromptu action. It was about time Clarke surprised him for a change. It was almost comical, though, and both Katie and Clarke were trying not to laugh.
Mrs. Bennett stared them all down for a moment before speaking. “I’m sorry for intruding, Clarke, but I actually need you to come with me to the boutique right now. They’re looking at dresses as we speak, and we need to get you in one. I’ll give you guys a moment, but make it quick. Clarke, just meet me out at the car. Oh, and invite Vince to the wedding, will you?” Mrs. Bennett waved and smiled before leaving the room. Katie followed suit, leaving Vince and Clarke alone in the office.
Vince came closer to embrace Clarke and planted a light kiss on her lips. “Well, I guess I’ll be sticking around then,” he said feeling unwelcomed and yet refusing to leave.
“Vince please, I didn’t mean to get you involved like that again….I acted without thinking. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,”she said, reserving any comments on what he said about liking each other.
“Oh, but I want to do this. What was the wedding she was talking about inviting me to?” Vince asked, sitting down in her office chair like he was making himself at home.
“Oh,” Clarke responded, relieved that she doesn’t have to come up with an excuse for Vince’s absence.. “My cousin is getting married in a couple of weeks. Apparently she met some rich race track owner or something, and they just have to get married right away. I’m going to be a bridesmaid apparently.”
