Her Choice, Forever (A Her Choice Story)

by Megan McCoy

  “It just aggravates me she has to do it,” Eric explained. “I realize he’s probably fine, but the way the world is anymore, she could very well get him taken away from her for leaving him alone.”

  “People could take you away from me, too, if they know what we do behind closed doors and in the great outdoors,” Holly turned and hugged him hard. Silly male.

  “Yeah. I know that’s a possibility, but I’d sure hope not. We’re consenting adults, after all. He’s just a kid.”

  “She’s a grown woman and is making the best choice for her family, just like we are making for ours. You see that, right?” Holly made him look at her.

  “I can see it and still not like it,” Eric said.

  Holly laughed and said, “I can see the hairbrush come out and still not like it.”

  “Not the same thing. Hairbrush is for your own good.”

  “Having two jobs is for her own good, and for Ben’s. So just cool your jets and try not make her feel guilty for doing what she feels is the right thing to do, okay?”

  “Why would I do that?” He looked at her, almost startled.

  “Oh, Eric. Sometimes you really come across as a bossy pants. Do you think I call you that for my own enjoyment? No. There’s a reason. You think you know everything. Kind of like Ethan when we go out to eat and he just knows what wine we all have to get.”

  Eric smiled, ruefully. “Do I really come across like that?”

  “Oh, baby, so much worse. You’re just lucky I think you’re cute and adorable and your… self… is so very large and quite up to handling all my many and various needs.” Holly let go of him and took two steps back. “In fact, if you can catch me, we can see what we can do about that need thing for us both! Tag! You’re it!” She took off running across the road to a barn set aside from the others.

  Eric gave her a bit of a head start. He didn’t want to be a bossy pants to his sister. He just wanted to protect her and take care of her. Now that adorable blonde running across the grass, he did want to be the bossy pants of, forever. As long as she’d let him.

  He decided his long legs would have to stretch to catch her now, so headed her way. She’d popped behind the corner of the barn already and he wondered how he’d find her back there. Would she be bare and waiting for him? Giggling and hiding behind a straw bale? Or something he had no clue about. His woman was never boring.

  Rounding the corner of the barn, he stopped short, and started. “What’s this?” he asked his wife, who seemed happily perched on the front seat of a buggy, with a horse right in front of it.

  “We’re going for a buggy ride!” she said gleefully. “I arranged it earlier. Don’t you love it? Come on up! I’ll let you drive!”

  Eric climbed up in the buggy beside her. He’d never been in one of these before. He sure as hell had never steered one before. How hard could it be? “When did you do this?” he asked.

  “After I got back from the trail ride with Clint this morning. I asked him if we could have a couple horses for a late night romantic trail ride alone. He said that he had a better idea if I wanted romance and here it is. Apparently if you aim the horse, somehow, down this path to the lake, she will walk straight down there, and we can make out. Then she will turn around and come right back. Isn’t that amazing? Don’t you love vacation?” Holly cuddled against him as he tried to figure out the lengths of leather in his hands.

  “I can think of a better use for this leather,” he told her as he finally figured out how to slap them against the horse’s back. He’d watched old Westerns and remembered the basic concept. He wasn’t planning to yell ‘gee haw’ though unless he had to. He didn’t seem to have to, because the horse started walking. All right!

  “It’s like half, or three quarters of a mile to the lake, Clint said, and he will be here to take the horse from us when we get back but we can call him if we have any problems. Isn’t that lovely?” Holly reached over and began to stroke him.

  “This is pretty cool,” Eric said, and loved the way the horse started trotting. Who knew a buggy ride could be so fun? “But you’re the loveliest thing around here.”

  “Don’t hurt the horse’s feelings. She might be very sensitive!” Holly scolded. “Oh!” She took her hand away from his pants and started looking around. “Is there a buggy whip?”

  “I don’t know whether to hope there is or isn’t,” Eric said. “Seriously, Holly?”

  “We’ve never played with a buggy whip,” she cooed, peeking under the seat and peering into the back. As she leaned over, to check he gave her a hard wallop with his hand and grinned at her small shriek.

  “How about I just send you out to the woods tomorrow to cut a switch,” he asked. “We’re upsetting the horse. It’s probably not used to people playing like we do.”

  “Fine.” Holly settled down, obviously pouting. “If you want to be a spoil sport, I’ll just let you.”

  “Like you have a choice. Don’t forget who the boss around here is. It’s not the cute blonde with the sore butt,” he growled it but pulled her closer to cuddle and kissed the top of her head.

  “Sore butt? Promises….”

  * * *

  Liz sat in the front of the boat, wishing she was cuddled next to the guy rowing, but still, it was a very nice night. Her alcohol buzz had mostly worn off, but her hot guy buzz still got her juices flowing. She hoped not literally. That would be a little mortifying, but hey, the night was dark and so were her jeans. She could deal. Or maybe he would.

  Watching the cowboy in front of her row was just invigorating. Who needed an alcohol buzz when she could watch that? Matt stopped in the middle of the lake and let them drift a minute.

  “This is such a pretty peaceful place,” Liz said, dreamily. “And the scenery is just beyond belief.”

  “Prettier in the daytime,” Matt agreed. “But there’s something to be said about the nighttime.”

  They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds. Bugs chirping, an owl calling to another, a horse or two having a conversation. So many things talking. Some clopping of some kind. Horse on the road? Liz looked over at him, and Matt motioned her over to him. Gingerly and awkwardly she moved to sit where he motioned, in front of him, between his legs. “This is a very comfy boat,” she said, nervously.

  “I know. Dad built it, and made the seats extra wide. He’s tall, and likes the legroom and he and mom were out here a lot when they were younger. Wouldn’t surprise me any if I was conceived right here,” Matt said, with a hint of amusement in his voice. “The thought put a damper on my make out sessions when I was a teenager and realized that. Probably should mention it to Blaze.”

  “Think it would skeeve him out, do you?” She wiggled closer him.

  “Worked for me,” he turned her head to his, and kissed her gently. “But I’ve gotten over it.”

  “I can tell,” she relaxed into his embrace. His arms pulled her tighter to him. A take-charge kind of guy he was, and she liked it. His hand found her breast and she wiggled a little wanting him to peel away the clothing layers that kept them apart. Liz felt his hand slid under her shirt and on her tender skin. Heat throbbed from all her parts, north and south and she didn’t remember being this turned on, even on her honeymoon.

  Her head began to swim, as she became more and more aroused. Any chance they could actually do it in the boat? That couldn’t be safe, could it? Reaching down she unbuckled his belt and tried to unzip his jeans. Too tight. She liked they were tight, because it probably meant he was aroused, but unable to wait to feel, and perhaps taste what made them so tight, she whimpered at him and he obligingly unzipped for her. Sometimes men weren’t as dense as they were others.

  He sprang out at her, hard and ready. Sighing, she looked longingly at him, in the pale light of the moon. Flipping open the front clasp of her nude colored bra, she let her breasts spill into his hand while she reached down to stroke him. Shivering with need, all she wanted was no more foreplay, and him d
eep inside her, pounding hard. Despite his reassurance earlier, she didn’t think they could manage in the boat, at least not as long and hard as she wanted. They needed to be in the back seat of the truck, or up against a handy tree or something. Anywhere other than in this boat.

  Maybe if she sat on top of him… her mind raced as she tried to figure out how to get her some of what she wanted as soon as possible. She’d come to this vacation knowing she wanted sex with a hot cowboy and now she just wanted to cum.

  Issuing a guttural plea of need and want, Liz leaned down and took him in her mouth. His answering moan was all the encouragement she needed.

  Vaguely she heard another noise, but ignored it. This place was full of night noises. Then heard the crystal clear sound of her big brother’s voice, “If the boat’s a rocking, don’t come knocking. Look, Holly, it’s Liz. Hi, Liz.”

  “Damn,” she heard Matt swear. “Buggy on the dock.”

  “Buggy?” she asked weakly, not daring to look over at the dock. What could they see? “It’s my brother.”

  “Well, of course it would be,” Matt had himself zipped back up, and was helping her with her shirt buttons. She hadn’t fastened her bra, but oh well. “What fun would it be if it were just a random stranger catching us making out like a couple kids? At least it wasn’t your daddy.”

  “Eric is just as bad. Oh geez,” Liz buried her head on his shoulder. “Can we just row across the lake?”

  “That would be rude, now, wouldn’t it? When they are standing there waiting for us to come up,” Matt kissed the top of her head. “I owe you a good fucking, woman. I promise to deliver, and you know I keep my promises.”

  “Okay,” she said, glad it was dark so he couldn’t see her blush. She couldn’t imagine how much she’d be blushing once her brothers started in on her. Mortified, she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  “Relax,” Matt told her, his voice thick with humor. “Worse things have happened. Hell, the boat could really have been rocking. You could have been all naked on top of me and…”

  “Voices carry on the water!” Holly’s voice floated out.

  “Go away!” Liz called back.

  “Nah, we’ll wait and help you tie up,” Eric said. “No problem!”

  “It’s a problem for me!” She pouted.

  “Never let them see you sweat, baby,” Matt grinned at her as she moved back to her seat and he began rowing toward shore.

  “Easy for you say. It’s not your big brother there waiting on you!” She’d dropped her voice considerably so that it wouldn’t carry over the water.

  “I’m here. I’ll save you from the wrath of big brother,” he said, in the same low voice, and weirdly she felt as if he meant it. “I mean, seriously, what’s he going to do, spank you?”

  “He could,” she said. No. Not really. She knew he spanked Holly, but not her.

  “He won’t. That’s not his job.” Matt said it flatly and decisively and she felt a thrill of excitement run through her belly. What did he mean by that?

  “I know. But sometimes he thinks he’s my daddy,” she whispered.

  “Almost there, you ready to face the music?” He smiled at her again, and she wished for nothing more than to not get out of this boat. But he’d promised he’d make it up to her later. She was going to believe him. What choice did she have? Giving him a hopefully wanting, needing, desiring face back, she turned to scowl at her big brother, who was grabbing the rope that Matt threw him.

  “We didn’t mean to interrupt,” Holly said, in a way Liz knew she was beyond delighted to have interrupted. Just because it was fun. For Holly, of course, but sure not for her. She wanted to be back out on the boat. Or in the back seat of the truck. Or up against a damn tree. Not holding her hand up to her stupid brother to help her out of the boat.

  Eric reached down and grabbed her hand and pulled her up to the dock. She gave him her meanest pissed off mom look and he just grinned at her.

  Matt climbed out of the boat and took the rope from Eric and tied it to the dock. “None the worse for wear,” he said, evenly, standing right up to him. Liz admired that. Her brother could be intimidating when he wanted to be, as she well knew. “You all go enjoy your buggy ride, and I’ll make sure Miss Liz gets back before she turns into a pumpkin at midnight.”

  “We can take her back in the buggy with us,” Eric said. “I bet she’d like a buggy ride, wouldn’t you, Liz.” He didn’t say it as a question, and his eyes never left Matt’s. Liz felt a little thrill of nerves. What the heck was going on? She wasn’t a teenager sneaking out from daddy’s rules. She was a grown woman!

  “No, Eric,” she said, firmly. “I’m going to finish my date with Matt. It was very sweet of you to help us tie up the boat though.”

  “You heard her,” Matt said, still not moving away from Eric, but pulling Liz close to him.

  Eric opened his mouth but Holly slipped in between the two men and grabbed Eric’s hand and said lightly, “I feel like the odd woman out while Edward and Jacob fight over Bella. Come on, big boy, you’re going with me. Leave your sister alone.” She winked at Liz and then smiled at Matt. “She won’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight. You guys go and have a good time. Liz doesn’t get to vacation often. She deserves some fun.” As she spoke she pushed Eric back toward the buggy where the horse stood patiently waiting for them.

  Matt smiled at Holly. “Yes, Ma’am. I’ll show her as good a time as she desires.”

  “Holly,” Eric said, growling under his breath. His little wife just laughed at him and kept pushing him toward the buggy.

  “Quit being a bossy boots. She doesn’t like it like I do.”

  Liz watched them climb back in the buggy, and marveled as always about their relationship. All she wanted was what Holly had. Eric obviously spoiled her rotten, and she ate it up. While he tried to let people think he was all alpha male and bossy boots, she often wondered who the real head of that household was. Holly played the demure little wife, who did everything her alpha male said, but who knew what went on behind closed doors. Well, she knew some of the things. The spankings were the main thing. Was it only sexual? The way Holly had been sobbing the time she’d overheard didn’t sound like any sexual thing she’d ever indulged in.

  Whatever it was, though, worked for them.

  She turned to Matt. “Sorry about my brother,” she said.

  “Why?” he asked, as if he were honestly curious. “He was just looking out for you. I didn’t take any offense. I’d have done the same thing for my sister.”

  “Do you have a sister?” she asked, curiously, holding hands companionably. She told herself it was companionably, not excitedly. It was just a hand! Fingers. Fingers that she wanted on other parts of her.

  “Sort of. We can talk about that another time,” he said, pulling her into a kiss.

  Forgetting about sisters and brothers, she melted into his arms. His taste of beer and the scent of lake and male overwhelmed her. She trembled in his arms, but clung to him, not willing to have that overpowering feel of his strength to leave her just yet. She needed his strength.

  “Let’s go to the truck,” he almost growled, pushing her away.

  “Oh,” her knees shook, and she had to force herself to keep up with his stride to the truck. Lucky thing he still held her hand.

  “I better get you back home before your brother has my head,” he said.

  A jolt of disappointment shot through her. Devastated, she said, “Oh. Well, if that’s what you think we should do.”

  “Probably for the best,” he said.

  Silently, she cursed Eric. If he hadn’t been on a stupid buggy ride, she’d more than likely being having sex right now, instead of being well and properly kissed and then chastely brought back to be deposited on her brother’s doorstep.

  And a few minutes later, that is right where he dropped her. Without even another kiss good night. “See you soon, thanks for a fun night,” he said, casually, evenly.

  “Yo
u also,” she said, fighting back tears of frustration. What had happened? Dejectedly she walked to the cabin she shared with her family. This was not where she wanted to be spending the night. Or at least she wanted to be sneaking in quietly much, much, later in the night, or early morning.

  The lit up cabin seemed full of people, and the last thing she wanted to do was walk in there. There seemed no other choice though, so she did it, and saw Holly, Eric, Ethan and Meredith at the kitchen island, all holding a glass of wine.

  “Hey, Liz, want a drink?” Meredith asked. “It’s really good stuff.”

  “You’ve about had enough,” Ethan told her, and she wrinkled her nose at him.

  “Nope. Going to finish this one,” she said.

  “I’m not going to finish anything,” Liz said, trying to force cheer into her voice. “I’m going to check on Ben and go to bed. Night.”

  “Don’t you want to tell us about your date?” Ethan asked.

  “No, I really don’t,” she replied, feeling unreasonably pissed off at him, and turned her back on them.

  “Night, Liz,” voices chorused back as glasses clinked and more wine poured.

  After noting her son was sound asleep, his phone clutched tightly in his hand, she went to her room. Stripping off her date clothes, she stood under the shower, trying to figure out where the date went wrong. It was nothing more or less than Eric barging in where he didn’t belong, she decided. She’d been very certain of where things were going before then.

  Debating if she wanted to just get dressed and go to his cabin, she whimpered just a little, knowing she wouldn’t be nearly that bold. Sure, she might get dressed and walk over there, but there would be no way she’d pound on his door. So she slipped into to her nightshirt, and then into bed. She’d gone to bed sexually frustrated and mad at the world, many times. She’d do it one more night.

  Chapter Six