by ML Nystrom
He seized my hair in a firm grip, pulled my head back, and slammed his mouth down on mine. He took over, kissing me hard, wild, and wet. I answered back just as hard, my body getting hot and my mind focusing on him and only him. The pounding beat of his heart, the feel of his hands, and the taste of his mouth all consumed my awareness.
Somehow we ended up back in the motel room. I didn’t know how we got there. I just knew my whole body was on fire, a heat I was determined to quench. Stud yanked my shirt over my head just inside the door and jerked down my bra strap, peeling away the cup and baring me to him. I cried out when he sucked my nipple into his mouth, electricity zapping straight between my legs. I clawed at his shirt until I got it over his head and we tumbled onto the bed, him pulling awkwardly at my jeans and panties until he got them off me. He pulled my legs apart and was right there, licking and sucking my clit. I arched my back, grabbing a handful of his hair as the blaze consumed me.
I wasn’t stupid or naïve about sex. I may not have been experienced, but I knew a thing or two from watching movies and seeing the porn my brothers tried to keep hidden from me. Nothing had prepared me for what it was like, having Stud do what he was doing to me. I writhed under his mouth, grinding at the intense sensation, like a bowstring drawn too tight. He pushed a finger into my untried channel and the slide of that hard digit was more than I could take. I screamed, losing complete control as I experienced the wildest climax I’d ever imagined was possible.
The fire was banked for the moment. Stud licked above my oversensitive flesh a few times before rising up to meet my stunned eyes. If this is how sex felt, I wanted more!
“You taste so good, baby.” His voice rumbled as he settled himself over me, his elbows to either side of my shoulders. He lowered his mouth to mine, and I sampled my own flavor. His dick was rock hard and I could feel it through his jeans as he pressed against me, but he made no move to go any further. I could feel the tension in his body as he hesitated, and my own frustration mounted.
My voice came out breathless. “I’m ready, Stud. Please!”
He raised his head to meet my eyes again. He stroked a hand through my hair, trailing over my cheek and neck. “I really want to be the one to take your virginity, baby, but I don’t know that I ought to have that honor, and especially when I don’t know where this will lead. I want to explore a future with you, but I’m taking you back to your family tomorrow and then heading back to Bryson City. We haven’t really talked about us, and you deserve more than a one-night stand from me or anyone else. Maybe after the Wilmington job—”
I growled as I grabbed his shoulders and flipped him. He uttered a single “oomph” when he landed on his back. I popped the buttons on the fly of his jeans and jerked the fabric down as far as I could. I got on top of him and seized my prize. How could he be so hard with skin so soft? Stroking him was like touching velvet-covered iron. A thick bead of precum appeared at the slit, and I smeared it over the head. He closed his eyes, and I heard him groan.
“You aren’t taking anything, Stud. I’m giving it to you! I’ve waited a long time for someone I wanted and cared about for this, and I choose you. If we’re meant to have a future after the Wilmington job, we’ll figure it out. You’re my best friend, my shoulder support, my listener… I love you! There, I said it. I love you!”
I positioned him at my entrance and moved down, working the head inside my body. It hurt like a mother, but pain wasn’t something I’d ever been afraid of. I’d had enough injuries in my life to know what real pain was like.
“Oh Christ, Eva! Slow down, baby.”
“I don’t want to.” I slid down even further, taking more of him in my body. The burn was getting more intense and I gasped, not knowing what to do but not wanting to stop either.
“Hang on, baby. Let me help.” His hands grabbed my hips and guided my frantic movements. He rocked into me back and forth a few times and with one long thrust, he broke through and filled me. Fuck, that hurt!
He stayed still, letting me get used to him being a part of me. The discomfort faded as I straddled his hips, feeling the sensation of tightness, fullness, and rightness of belonging. This wasn’t as much pain as it was passage into something deeper. We fit together like perfect puzzle pieces. I shifted on top of him, not sure what to do next, but wanted to move, wanted to feel that hard push in my body again, wanted something more.
He shifted underneath me and steered me with his hands still at my hips. I felt him press against a spot as he rolled and ground inside me. The fire in my belly rekindled and it wasn’t long before I moved with him. I threw back my head and leaned back, meeting each upward thrust with a downward one of my own. My whole world was concentrated on the man below me, his hard flesh melding into mine, and the burn between my legs. He slipped his hand over my stomach and between my legs, his thumb circling my slippery clit. Another climax hit me like a freight train, and I screamed with the intensity of it. Stud flipped me to my back and took control, pumping into me harder and faster. He shouted and jerked out of me at the last moment, coming all over my stomach, hot juice coating me as he finished himself off with a few strokes of his hand.
We lay there, side by side, for several long minutes, just breathing and touching, heat pouring from our sweaty skin. He finally got up, kissed me lightly, and went into the bathroom. I heard the sink run and a moment later he was back, sitting on the bed and wiping the sticky residue from my stomach with a warm, wet towel. He slid the cloth between my legs and cleaned me there too.
“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked while he traced the hard slabs of my stomach muscles, his fingers outlining the delineations.
“No, I’m not hurt,” I said. I didn’t know what I was. Definitely sore, but I felt like I was glowing, satisfied, fulfilled, incredible, and more than anything thing else, pure and total happiness. I’m a happy person in general, at least I always thought I was happy, but this feeling was a height I’d never experienced before. I didn’t think it possible. I came down a bit, thinking this may be the only time I had it.
“I’m great, in fact.” I smiled and placed my fingers over Stud’s bicep as he leaned over me. “That was—I don’t have the right words. Fantastic, I guess I can say, but it was a lot more than that.”
His eyes watched his fingers as they continued to reverently stroke over my stomach and thighs. “It was more for me too.”
I stayed on my back while he kept caressing my body, smoothing his hand up and down. I did the same, running my fingers over his arms, tracing the details of the tattoos on his shoulders. The place between my legs throbbed and ached a bit, but it felt good. Maybe all the hard, physical conditioning I’d had all my life had something to do with that.
His fingers brushed over my breasts and my nipples tightened up, sending little pulses through my stomach. He leaned over and took one in his mouth, suckling it gently while stroking the other with his thumb. Twin sensations ran down my body and settled between my legs. My eyes closed, and I relaxed further, letting myself simply enjoy.
“I didn’t wear a condom. That’s why I didn’t come inside you. This is the first time in years I’ve gone without, but just so you know, I’m tested and safe,” he stated against my breast. “I have a few wrappers with me, but I don’t want to fuck you again.”
My heart stopped at his sentence, and my eyes flew open as a stab of real hurt hit me in the chest.
“If you’re not too sore, I really want to make love to you. This time slow and easy so I can watch you come and make it safe so I can come inside you.”
My heart started beating again, faster.
His dick was hardening again. I could see it rise from where it rested on his thigh. I reached for it, running my fingers down its length and circling it with my hand. He inhaled sharply and got even harder.
We made love like he said. Slow, easy, him playing with me like the master of lovemaking he was reputed to be. He drew it out until I was a bundle of need, and when I climaxe
d, it was long and deep with him staring into my eyes, watching me with an intensity that made the moment even more intimate. He stayed inside me, and when he reached his own height, he groaned and collapsed on top of me, holding me tight, buried deep in me, and I felt each pulse as he came. He whispered in my ear, so lightly I might have missed it, “Love you too, Eva.”
Eighteen
Stud woke first the next morning and watched Eva sleep for a few minutes. She was on her side, one hand curled under the cheap motel pillow and the other palm up in front of her body. She was peaceful, breathing deep and even. Stud felt a satisfaction he hadn’t felt in a long time. A contentment that life was good and would only get better. The feeling became bittersweet, as today he was taking her back to her family. He knew she should be happy getting back to them, getting back to work, getting back to her life, but there was a sadness in her as well. He hoped she wouldn’t regret the time they’d spent together. Last night they’d made love as many times as he had condoms, three total. She never refused when he reached for her, and every time was beautiful. Even if it was the only night he ever had with her, he would remember and cherish every moment. These last few days had meant so much to him, and the precious gift she gave him he would treasure for a lifetime.
He checked out and took them both to a greasy spoon diner for breakfast before getting on the road. Stud put on his best face, smiling and teasing Eva, trying his best to act as if it were business as usual, but inside he was breaking. He watched as she turned her phone back on as they were mounting up to make the long ride to Wilmington. It dinged with several missed texts. One was from Connor sending her the address of the RV and her tiny house. The worksite was downtown and had no place to park those two vehicles. The other was from Psalm asking if she had more stuff to sell. All of the lounge pants had sold at the festival and most of the lap quilts. People were asking for more and some wanted to commission bigger quilts. Stud smiled and hugged her as she bounced around showing her excitement.
“Knew it would happen, Cactus,” Stud said as he messed with the bike. He was genuinely happy for her. “Just remember the little folks when you become famous.” He stood back and bowed with a flourish, presenting the extra cushion he installed on the bike for her to sit. He laughed and winced, rubbing his shoulder when she punched him. She scowled at his play but did thank him for his thoughtfulness.
Stud made sure they took a few breaks as they rode, partially to give her a break and partially to draw out the time. It’s not like I’ll never see her again, he reasoned with himself. She had to come back to Bryson City and get the rest of her stuff. She still had the sewing machine and a few clothes left in his room. Besides, she wanted to be at the wedding. She had to finish the wedding dress for Kat. Stud had heard all about how Molly had wanted a bunch of sparkle, sequins, beads and stuff, but Kat managed to calm her down and got the dress that was more to her taste. Kat had seemed to be pleased with the results. Maybe custom dresses could be another item in Psalm’s shop.
Stud kept giving himself silent pep talk after silent pep talk, the constant voice in his head ranging from it will be okay, I’ll see her again, this is not the end to I can’t lose this, it will never be the same! A chorus of what-ifs spun around and around in his mind. What if she never comes back? What if she does and things are different? What if she finds someone else at her next site? What if? What if? Every hour or so, he thought about turning the bike around and heading back to Bryson City. Taking her to his home and making love to her until she agreed to stay with him or was too damn tired to argue.
His biggest fear and worst thought came to him as they passed a sign that said Wilmington City Limits. What if I never feel this way again?
Stud could tell something was wrong as he drove slowly up the street where the GPS was leading them. The living vehicles were parked in an empty store lot near the site, but not at it. He could see flashing police lights, fire trucks, and firemen in hard hats teeming over the area. The waning sun made the whole scene surreal. A sour, burnt charcoal smell filled the air, pungent and raw. Fire, obviously. A big one. He felt Eva’s hands claw at his waist where she was hanging on and heard her in the helmet radio gasp out, “What the fuck?”
Stud coasted the bike as close to the scene as he could and put a leg down to steady it. Eva leapt off and was ready to rush into the chaos. Stud grabbed her hand and kept her back. She swung at him and tried to pull away, but Stud ignored her and held on as his brain processed what he was seeing. Connor was in a tremendous fight with his father; both men were yelling and gesturing wildly. This was not the easy-going diplomatic man who had worked side by side with Eva. This was a man who was on the absolute edge.
“Connor! Holy shit, Connor!” Stud heard Eva shout as she scrabbled her fingers on the helmet strap. He didn’t say a word when she dropped the expensive piece of equipment to the ground and ran toward her brother. She hadn’t seen yet what he had.
Conner stopping yelling at his dad when he heard Eva cry out. Instead of being happy to see her, he jammed both hands through his thick hair to the back of his head and turned as if unable to face her. Stud pulled off his own helmet and let it drop next to Eva’s. He stared and his mouth got hard at the sight just beyond Connor’s still form. He rushed to catch up. This was not good. Not in any sense of the word.
Stud saw the moment when Eva recognized the blackened, wet pile of smoldering wood sitting not too far in front of her. She stopped just short of Connor and her da, arms at her side, standing as still as marble as she finally saw the heap that was once her tiny house. Her truck hadn’t been spared either. It was nothing more than burnt rubble as well.
“What? Why?” Eva was stuttering, her face white as a sheet. Stud came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She melted into him like she couldn’t hold herself up any longer. Connor took notice of Stud’s position and frowned even more, if that was even possible.
“Is everyone okay?” she asked in a small, quavering voice.
Fergus harrumphed. “Yes. Yes, everyone is fine. They’re all at the job site working.” He turned to Eva and pointed a finger at her. “That’s where you should be, ya cailín leisciúil!”
Stud felt Eva freeze at the harsh tone. He held on and waited, counting down in his head. Three—two—one—
But it wasn’t Eva who exploded, it was Connor.
“Cailín leisciúil? Are you fucking mad! You call your only daughter lazy and good for nothing? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you’re a piece of work, Da!”
He pointed at the still smoking hot mess that was once Eva’s home.
“This is your fault, ya damn Irish bastard! You have not the least respect for any of us! You know she doesn’t allow smoking in her house. I told you twice not to smoke those damn cigars of yours in there. I had to put one out that you left sitting on the table a few nights ago. On the fucking table!”
Fergus turned red in the face. “My cigars didn’t start this! That table had the wrong kind of finish! Whole house was badly made. Bad wiring. I’m surprised it didn’t go up in flames long ago.”
Connor was not done. His voice got louder and louder. “You’ve screwed up orders again, got the wrong dates for delivery, over booked the whole operation until we’re spread so thin, we’ll be lucky to finish this one anywhere near on time! Now you’re making excuses, blaming everyone else for your mistakes. You’ve treated us like fucking slaves for years, and I’ve put up with it for the sake of my brothers and sister, but this is the absolute last straw! I. Am. Done!”
Stud felt Eva jerk in his arms at her brother’s declaration.
Fergus went off. “What do you mean, ‘done’?’ You can’t just be ‘done’!’ This is a family business! Your brothers need you!”
“I can’t do this anymore!” Connor ranted on. It seemed cathartic, like a boil that just got lanced and all the poisons were draining out. “I’ve been covering your ass for years. I stuck around because of family. You certainly didn’t worry about you
r sons or your daughter. Not with me taking care of things. We roam like Irish gypsies, and I’m sick of it. I’m almost thirty-five. Too old to be living in an RV with five other men, brothers or not. I want a real home and to find a wife and kids of my own. I’ve given all I can give. It’s time for them to grow up and go their own way. It’s past time for me to go.”
He turned to Eva. “I’m so, so sorry, a stóirín. This was not supposed to happen, and I tried. The Lord above knows I tried. I’ll take care of the insurance. We have everything covered. You’ll need to stay in the RV for a wee bit. Best I can do for now.”
“No,” Eva stated, her voice low and devoid of emotion. “I love you, mo run.”
“No?” Fergus blustered, but no one paid attention to the old man.
“Please get me out of here, Stud,” she whispered.
Stud looked up at Connor and lifted an eyebrow. Their eyes met, man to man. Words weren’t necessary. Connor’s mouth relaxed, and he gave one short nod. “Good. Take care of her.”
Stud led Eva back to the bike. She didn’t resist as he strapped on her helmet, and then she mounted up behind him. Her grip was looser, but she still managed to hold on. Stud drove the short distance to the town of Leland. It was dark as he pulled into a Holiday Inn Express. She was quiet the entire trip, and this had Stud very worried. He’d seen Eva happy and laughing, mad as hell, working hard and cussing, arguing with anyone and everyone, always standing up strong, more ready for a fight than anyone else he knew. This Eva was like a gutted shell. This wasn’t his Eva at all.
He checked them into a room. Eva went in and sat on the bed, staring and still processing. Her eyes were glazed and dilated, and her hands were shaking. She’s in shock, Stud thought, remembering the state he was in when his world shattered and he’d been in pieces. He imagined it was the same for her and his heart bled a little, knowing what she was going through.
