by Lexie Davis
Aubree sighed. When it rained the water got trapped in the woods and made it muggy and almost unbearable. The mud was thick and usually cold. It was a danger to anyone that got stuck simply for the way it molded to whatever body part was in it. She went to the side of the horse and reached down to break the suction the mud had on its foot. The mud was cold and slimy. It coated her arm from fingers to shoulder. It smelt raunchy too, like something else was mixed with it other than regular dirt. She moved back and searched for a thicker branch to dig the horse out with.
The horse whinnied and Aubree moved back, watching as she tried to pull her own leg free. The mud sloshed and flew up at her while the horse climbed her way out of the pit. Before Aubree could grab her, the horse took off through the woods.
“Oh, thanks. I help you and you leave me. Stupid horse.” She went back to the ATV and reached for the keys. She patted her pockets and then grabbed her phone to search the ground. “Great. Just great. This is not my day.”
She tried the radio again and even switched channels. “Can someone please come find me? It’s dark.”
She slung the mud from her arm. She grabbed the radio and started walking through the woods, doing her best to look at the sky. What little light shined down on her should help get her back into the open. She walked and walked. One area looked like another. She passed three mud pits that weren’t there when she came in. She somehow got turned around and panic started settling in.
She pushed the button on the radio. “Please. I’m not joking. I really am lost.”
She walked through tree after tree, feeling her way through the wooded area. Her phone gave her a little light so she didn’t fall in a mud pit herself, but the damn battery was running down. If she lost the usage of her phone she really would panic.
She pushed the button on the radio again. “Please. I’m in the woods.”
Aubree kept walking and stumbled, falling face first into a mud pit. The thick, gooey sludge packed around her, locking her legs in place as she tried to move. The radio went flying into the darkness. Her phone sat a few feet away.
“No. No. No.” She tried to pull herself out and her legs sank deeper. She grabbed a stick and jabbed it down in the mud beside her to pull herself up. It broke. “Come on!”
Her heart raced as she struggled with the anxiety coming over her. Mud ran into her eyes and she couldn’t see. Her tears didn’t make matters any better. She heard an ATV nearby and screamed as loud as she could. Panic wouldn’t help her situation, but neither would waiting around for someone to rescue her.
A light flashed toward her and she tried waving her hand.
Parker jumped off and ran to her. “Aubree?”
“Help me.”
“I’ve got you.” He grabbed her arms and pulled. “Move your legs slowly.”
She kicked and wiggled before finally breaking the suction. She lost a boot and nearly her pants, but Parker had her back on solid ground.
“Are you okay?” He pulled his shirt off and wiped her eyes with it.
“No.” She wiped the grime from her face. “That damn horse left me and it was dark. I couldn’t see where I was going and I fell.”
“It’s okay.”
He helped her to his four wheeler. “What are you doing here? You were supposed to be at home.”
“Your dad called me when he couldn’t find you. He’s sick to his stomach with worry. They’ve looked all over these woods.” He climbed on and headed in the opposite direction she was going.
“I’m hot and sweaty.”
“I know.”
He drove them back to the house and Aubree had never been happier to see it in all her life. Parker radioed her father to let him know he found her and that she was safe. Her mother came rushing toward her.
“Are you okay?” She cupped Aubree’s cheeks and stared into her eyes. “You scared the daylights out of us.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose. The stupid horse got away from me.”
Her mother glanced over at Parker. “You need to get out of these clothes. I’ll get you some water while you get cleaned up.”
Aubree nodded and focused on Parker. “You’re going to have to hose me down, aren’t you?”
“Either that or strip you right here.” He glanced around. “There’s no one around if you want me to get a blanket for you.”
She nodded. Parker went to his truck and grabbed a large blanket. He held it up while she took her shirt off. Her bra went next. Sweat gathered in every nook and cranny of her body. She wanted a cold shower. Her pants went next and then her panties. Once she was done, Parker folded the blanket around her and pulled her to him.
“I’ve got you.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “You can take a shower and then put on some clothes.”
“I don’t have any clothes here.”
“I’ll go home and get you some.”
She nodded. “How bad is my hair?”
“It’s still wet. It should wash out.” He moved to the patio door and held it open for her.
Aubree debated on walking to the bathroom naked as she stepped inside the air conditioned house. Parker led her to the downstairs bathroom and flipped on the light. She tossed the blanket once they were in the bathroom and turned the sink faucet on to splash water on her face.
“Stand in there and let the water cool you down.”
Aubree entered the shower, letting the spray hit her clammy skin. The water surrounding her felt like bliss.
“I’m going home to get you something to wear. I’ll be back in a minute.” Parker grabbed the blanket and left the bathroom.
Aubree closed her eyes. The panic that had bubbled up inside her came out all at once. She sat on the shower floor letting the water fall on her while she cried. She didn’t know what happened out there. Had it really been that long since she navigated the woods properly? Did she forget all that she had known growing up? Had it really been that long since she’d been home?
When Parker came back, he had a tank top and pair of shorts. She’d just started to calm down as he cut off the water. Grabbing a towel from the rack, he pulled her up to wrap her in it.
“Your mom has some water for you to drink.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I don’t know how I got lost.”
He rubbed her back. “It happens to the best of us. All that matters is that you’re okay.”
She dressed and they walked out together. Her father stood in the kitchen looking as tired as she felt. She hugged him and he pulled her in tight.
“Here.” Her mother handed her a bottle of water. “You were out there a while. You need to rehydrate.”
Her family watched her closely while she undid the bottle and drank it. Once she had nearly half the water bottle down, she wiped the back of her mouth with her hand.
“What happened? We had radio contact and then nothing,” her father said.
“I don’t know. I came to a deep mud pit and turned around. I thought I was going back in the main tracks, but I didn’t. I got lost. Found the horse. Stupid thing was stuck too.”
“Yeah, we got her. She was covered in mud. I figured for her to be running out of the woods it had to be you. We searched non-stop for you. I ended up calling Parker because I didn’t know what else to do.”
“I found you out of pure dumb luck.” Parker folded his arms over his chest. She’d noticed he pulled on another shirt since she had gotten the other one dirty. “You were hip deep in a mud pit.”
She rubbed the area between her brows. “I fell. Face first.”
Her father kissed her temple. “It’s okay, city girl. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You can stay here tonight, sweetheart. You look exhausted.” Her mom watched her from across the counter. “You too, Parker.”
She glanced over at Parker. “Actually, I want to go home.”
Her father arched an eyebrow. “You’ve moved in with him now?”
She smiled. “No.”
I
t felt that way though. She didn’t look at Parker while she spoke to her father. Life was complicated enough as it was without trying to sort through her relationship in the moment. She wanted to be with Parker. She simply needed to figure out how.
Her father rubbed her back. “I’m not going to lie. You’re breaking my heart.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’ll be okay.”
Moving away from the kitchen bar, she glanced around the room. “I don’t really have anything. I lost the key to the ATV. I lost my phone. I lost my boot.”
“We’ll look for it in the morning.” Her father stared at her, taking in her clothes.
She didn’t care what she looked like. The skimpiest thing Parker could find was fine with her. Her father didn’t say anything about it, but a crease deepened between his brow.
“We need to fill that pit in. I know you liked to go mudding and whatnot when you were younger, but they’re dangerous for the animals.”
“No objections from me.” She kissed her father’s cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
They said their goodbyes and left out the back door. Parker walked with her to his truck. “Did you lose your car keys?”
“Yes.” She huffed a breath. “I’m not too happy about that. I can’t get into my car. My mailbox key is a pain to replace.”
He nodded toward his truck. “Get in. We’ll look for them when there’s daylight.”
She went to the passenger’s side of his truck and got in. Parker backed out and turned around before heading down the drive. She reached for his hand while he drove, and he brought her hand to his lips.
It was uncanny how quickly she had grown attached to him. While she may not remember the trails in the woods after ten years, he did and he saved her once again.
Chapter Fourteen
Parker watched Aubree sleep next to him and smiled at how easily she grew acquainted with sleeping nude. Her nipple peeked out from the top of the sheet, just enough to tease him. He leaned down and swirled his tongue along the soft bud, feeling it harden at his touch. Her soft moan filled his ears as she rolled toward him. They’d spent the day together, fighting and loving. Getting reacquainted with one another had been a goal of his when he realized he still had feelings for her, but he didn’t expect it to be so damn good between them.
Real.
“You taste like candy.” He let her go with a pop.
“Doubtful.” She groaned, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?”
He tugged the sheet down so he had better access to her body. Inching his way down, he nipped and licked along her stomach. Her breath hitched when he planted kisses along her pelvis. Bending her knees, she widened her legs and tilted her hips up and forward. The silent plea had her heels digging into the mattress beside him, her body open and ready. He lowered his mouth to her, swiping his tongue through her slick folds. Everything about her was so damn sweet. He was a junkie and she was his drug. She threaded her fingers in his hair, tugging lightly as a soft moan left her lips.
Sex had always been hot between them. Parker licked and teased her, loving the soft noises she made. She writhed on the bed as he drove her closer and closer to the edge of pleasure. He’d take her there willingly, giving everything he had without question. Somewhere deep inside he knew that sex would always be different with her. Their first time together had told him that much and he’d only been seventeen at the time. Aubree was made for loving and he’d always revel in giving her the pleasure she wanted. His tongue pressed deep into the giving folds, sliding in and out as he drove her wild. What they shared was something special, something to cherish and protect with all he was.
Aubree’s cry of pleasure filled the silence of the room. Parker kissed and nipped at her inner thigh before pushing up to stare into her heavy lidded eyes.
“What?” she smiled up at him, waiting for his next move.
He hooked his arms around her thighs, lifting her so he could press the tip of his penis against her opening. “You are beautiful.”
She didn’t say anything as he pushed inside her, filling her with one smooth thrust. So many emotions swirled through him. The amount of sheer panic when Jim called him was enough to provoke a flashback. He teetered on the edge of it, trying to calm himself down. Her body clenched around him, sucking him into warm wetness. He hissed at the sensation, digging his fingers into her fleshy thighs.
Aubree rubbed her fingers along his hands before pulling him down to her. Her tongue flicked along his lower lip before pushing between them to tangle with his own. He lost a part of his heart when she left Prospect. He felt like he’d gained it back when she rolled into town. The rollercoaster of emotions had him in a knotted mess. She was leaving again, soon enough. With his entire being, he wanted her in his life. He’d gotten so used to not depending on anyone. After coming back to the states, he’d convinced himself he could fix his problems on his own. Instead, he spent two years avoiding them while focusing on work and the pressure built inside him.
She clutched at his back, arching up as he pushed deep into her. His anxiety eased when he was with her. He’d been scared when she’d gone missing, and thankfully, he found her virtually unharmed. Parker pulled one of her stiff nipples into his mouth and sucked. His hips rocked forward against her as he held her, looping his arm around her back to hold her close. He couldn’t deny it even if he wanted to. He loved Aubree Manning and there was nothing in the world that would ever change that fact.
With a muffled curse he came, dropping his head to her chest as he squeezed his eyes closed. Aubree’s arms came around him, clutching his sweaty back as her body squeezed around him. For a moment, the world was right. Perfect. He didn’t want to move and he didn’t want to think. He wanted to simply be with her.
Sometime later, he finally moved to the side and threw his arm over his eyes.
Aubree leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said. “I’m okay.”
He dropped his arm and met her gaze. “You know what I’m thinking, huh?”
“Of course.” She kissed his arm and moved back to her side of the bed. “I can read you like a book.”
He hummed. “I doubt it.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No.” He rolled to his side and pulled her close. They lay like that for a while. He liked holding her. He liked feeling her body against his. He knew he’d miss it when she went back to Dallas.
“I need you to promise me something,” Aubree finally said. He thought she’d fallen asleep, but she hadn’t.
“What?”
“Promise me you will put away your pride and stubbornness and reach out to me if you need me.” She rubbed her fingers along his arm. “I don’t know what happened overseas, but I do know you were afraid that something bad happened to me tonight.”
He closed his eyes. She could read him like a book. “I promise.”
She pressed soft kisses along his chest. “I’m tough, believe it or not. I got that way from putting up with your mean ass in my youth.”
“I’m not mean.” He opened his eyes. “And you are tough. Doesn’t mean you’re invincible though.”
“I know.” She cupped his cheek. “You are my protector. You always have been.”
He hugged her tighter because he needed to. Nothing about the day had been ideal. The past reared its ugly head and messed with his mind. He needed to find a way to move past it, and he knew deep inside that Aubree would be the answer.
“You’re a great lover.” She kissed his lips. “And a great kisser.” She stared into his eyes. “And when you wrap me in your arms, I feel safe. You make me feel like a woman and I love that about you. I can take care of myself, but I love that I don’t have to with you. You were always there for me. You proved time and again that out of everyone in this world, I could always count on you to have my back.” She brushed her finger along his lip. “Just so you know, I’ve got your back too.”
He smiled and kissed her before capturing
her hand and holding it over his heart. He wanted to profess his love to her, to make a blubbering idiot out of himself. Instead, he simply stared at her, loving that he didn’t always have to put everything into words. She somehow knew what he thought and felt without direct communication, and it was in those moments he’d missed her the most.
****
His cell phone rang, startling them both. Parker groaned and turned, blindly reaching for his phone on the nightstand. Once he found it, he answered.
“Hey, Dad. Is everything okay?”
Aubree moved down his body, pressing kisses along his abdomen and then to his thighs. He reached out to stop her from continuing and she glanced up. He shook his head.
“Yeah. Okay. Just give me a second. I’ll be right there.”
Parker hung up the phone and Aubree sat waiting. “What’s wrong?”
“My dad.” He blinked a few times. “He’s having trouble breathing and he needs to go the hospital.”
Aubree moved from the bed. “Come on. I’ll drive.”
They dressed in a hurry. Aubree chose to wear her own clothes, and Parker pulled on a regular T-shirt and jeans. She rubbed his arm as they walked out together. He went to his truck and she followed. He didn’t seem like he wanted to debate the issue, so she kept her mouth shut. His father’s house was on the other side of the small town though it didn’t take long to get there. He parked in the front and got out, walking toward the door to let himself in.
“Dad?”
Tom stood there. “Parker?”
Tom reached for him and Parker went.
Aubree watched from the doorway.
Parker held his dad up, supporting him. Tom looked pale and weak.
Tom’s wife seemed relieved as she came down the hall with an overnight bag. Her daughters didn’t look any less stressed.
“Aubree?” Tom called.
She stepped forward. “Hey, Tom.”
“Will you call your daddy?” He gasped for breath. “Tell him what’s going on.”
“Yeah. Of course. I’m calling him right now.” Aubree reached for Parker’s phone from his pocket. She walked outside as she dialed her father. He picked up on the fourth ring. “Daddy, it’s me.”
