by Emily Bowie
We sit there as I think about the struggles she must be having internally. But I’m a selfish prick. Seeing her again confirms that I want her. No one else. I keep telling myself that I just need to flush her out of my system. But deep down I know this isn’t the case. I should push her away from me and let her go like she is asking me.
“What you saw the other day was none of my doing.” I place my hand on top of hers that rests on the seat. “But it is a part of who I am.” I let my thumb run across her delicate skin.
I let out a breath, knowing I should explain it further, but I know I’ll resort to what I do best. Manipulation. It’s low, but something about her won’t let me say goodbye. I hope maybe I can help her then set her free. Maybe I can be strong enough once I’ve had a taste.
“Gambling in Texas is illegal, and you being part of that comes with a hefty prison sentence. I am in a position to protect you from that.” My voice comes off smooth, crisp, and confident. Looking down at her, I see hope flare in her eyes. I feel like an ass, not because this isn’t true. I will honor my word, but I am not doing this for her, I am doing it for me.
“Honestly, I just want to save my home. Luke…” She pauses, gathering her words. “He’s had no help and is trying the best he can. Unfortunately, it looks like he went the easy way out.” A few moments of silence pass between us. “I don’t want to be that person.”
I have had enough of hardly touching her, so I pull her into my side. We sit there, her head on my shoulder looking forward. I allow myself to breathe her in, run my hand up her arm. For a second time tonight I try to talk myself out of laying claim on her; but the devil on my side is stronger.
“Can you also protect Luke?” Her voice is quiet, almost a whisper.
“I will help him this time only, because you asked me. I can have it so that we can come up with a plan to save your ranch.” I turn and give her a gentle kiss. “If I do this, will you hold it against me?” I ask, referring to what it will take to complete this job perfectly. Unfair, I know, since she has no idea what it could entail. “I do this sort of thing pretty much for a living.”
“What do you do?” Her hand is on my chest, making me want to feel her more. I can feel my heart begin to pump harder; she’s close to coming around.
“I’m a computer hacker. It brings me a lot of power sometimes.” That’s the CliffsNotes version anyway. “Do you trust me?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
That’s all I needed to hear. I pull her in for another kiss, moving her on top of me. Her legs straddle mine as she deepens the kiss. My hands go up her back, needing that soft skin under my hand. It’s both an intimate gesture and controlling. Play it delicately and she will blossom under my touch. I tug at her small waist, having her snug up against my torso. I allow my hands to outline her thin, lacy bra. I tease her with little touches and dip a finger or two inside the rough material, finding her plump, smooth tits underneath before moving back to the outside of the lace to pinch at her hardening nipples. With each touch she presses her chest into me more, telling me she wants more. Unclasping the front of her bra her breasts tumble out into my hands. She arches toward me, welcoming my touch, which has her hips pressing harder onto my crotch.
Her tits mold into my hands perfectly and my thumb and forefinger pinch and twist one of her nipples. Her hips rock on top of mine, and there is no doubt she can’t miss the hard-on she’s helped cause. I can feel her rock onto it each time. Lifting up her shirt, I kiss up the side of her tit before I wrap my mouth around her dark puckered nipple. I tease and taunt her with my tongue wrapping around it as I suck on it hard before I repeat the process. She whimpers under my touch. I love that fucking sound, each suck has her rocking harder and I involuntary thrust against her hot core.
Her hands go onto my face, gently rubbing the scruff before they go back to my shoulders, her fingers pinching into my skin with each movement.
“Jewels.” Her name is like velvet on my tongue.
I want to push my dick into that wet pussy of hers right now, and pull her hair so I can have access to nip and suck at her neck and mark her so everyone knows she’s taken. But this is for her, I remind myself.
I allow my hand to glide down her perfect, warm skin to the denim shorts she is wearing. My fingers brush the middle seam of her shorts as I dip my head to gain access to the delicate side of her neck. I start with slow, delicate kisses, and allow them to grow with each swipe of my hand. I am careful to not suck too hard, which is harder than it sounds.
Her breath dances across my skin, encouraging me. My hands are greedy and the other one leaves her perfect tits to skate down her belly, over her middle to the edge of her shorts. I allow my fingers to circle her skin underneath the hem.
She already feels magnificent on my cock, and it’s yet to touch her hot skin. I move my fingers to the edge of her panties and run them down her center to find them damp. She moans under my touch and I sneak underneath her panties to skillfully rub her growing clit. I can’t hide the smile on my lips as she moans and rocks against my hand. “Do you want my fingers to fuck you?” My voice is rasp. She nods but I need to hear it from her. “I need to hear you say it, Jewels.” She rocks against my thumb, which is still stroking her wet clit.
“Fuck me with your fingers.” It comes out breathless and needy.
I fill her with one, then two fingers, curving them just right as I allow my fingers to fuck her how I imagine I would with my cock. My other hand remains working on her throbbing, swelled bud before I introduce my third finger. She is so fucking tight, I can feel me stretching her, and she pumps harder into my hand.
Her hands find my face, directing my lips back onto hers. I put everything into it, like my life depends on it. She feels amazing on my hand that happens to be rocking against my massive wood. I lose myself in it all. I think I even hear myself moan as I imagine replacing my fingers with my cock, I can feel her tighten up and know she’s close. My fingers fuck her harder, my thumb rubbing faster as I feel myself come undone, coming right into my pants like a lovesick teenager. I groan into her mouth and she gasps into mine as her tight pussy squeezes the life out of my fingers, her orgasm ripping through her.
I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest and right into hers. Slowly, I remove my fingers from that pussy I want to own. We’re both panting with our foreheads touching. Our evading breaths echo throughout the church. I feel like my mind is blown, a surreal feeling for me.
My hands find hers and I intertwine my fingers with hers. She looks up at me with lustful, hooded eyes, looking completely satisfied as she gives me a smile. It’s not a shy smile, but a smug, confident smile. “Well I think that conversation went over well.” She giggles and lifts up her breathtaking blue eyes.
“I take it you forgive me then?” I tease her.
Titling her head, she smirks even bigger. “Well, maybe. You might have to convince me again.” Then she follows her comment with a wink.
I almost forget about the mess inside my pants before she uncurls herself from my lap. Fuck, this is going to be an uncomfortable and cold ride home.
Chapter 16
JEWELS
Tyson guides me back to his motorbike, his body keeping me warm from the cool night’s air. In the distance I can hear the sounds of crickets with the light sounds of tires pushing against the asphalt.
“I have a room at the motel,” he says softly, smiling down at me. I know instantly which one as we only have the one. “How about I pick you up in the morning to go back into the city?”
A light breeze allows his scent to wrap around me, allowing my feelings to simmer. I’m screwed; I’ve got it bad. I know my feelings will only grow more intense. No point in fighting it any longer.
I have always delicately stepped around the people in my life to make them happy. Somehow, Tyson has inspired me to do more than that. I will get our ranch back to what it was before our dad passed. I am going to tell Luke straight up that I quit scho
ol and want to help take over the ranch. What I should have done instead of running away.
He gives me a little nudge, reminding me that he asked a question.
“I might need a day to get some things organized before I head back.”
“I can work with that.” He kisses me hard, causing my breath to hitch, and I feel almost dizzy by the time he stops. Smoothly he lifts me up, placing me on the back of his bike, securing my helmet like he always does.
I try to focus my thoughts on Luke instead of how close I am wrapped around Tyson’s body.
*
I can’t help but watch Tyson ride off into the distance, dust billowing around him. I take in a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. It’s now or never.
Walking up our front porch, there are no flowers like we used to have growing up. It is solemn and bare.
Opening the door, I find it unlocked, nothing out of the normal there. The only reason it registered is that in the city I always double-check everything’s locked. “Luke!” I call into the dark house, hoping he’s home to talk before my confidence disappears. Heading to the right of the entrance, I flip the switch for the light and our entrance glows bright before the bulb crackles and goes dark. Heading deeper into the house, I go toward the next light switch before I trip on my own two feet. “Shit!” I muster to myself as I rub my knees that sting from the fall.
This light goes on but I notice that the three-bulb light only has one bulb in it, giving me just enough light to navigate through my house.
“Luke, you home?” I call out once again.
A tight grasp on my shoulders causes me to yell out and jump almost one hundred and eighty degrees.
“Shit, Luke, you scared me.” He gives me an odd look while looking around.
“Why are you in the dark?” His breath hits me as he says his words almost perfectly.
“Have you been drinking?” I ask as he steps around me to turn on another light.
“Where were you?” He has a way of making me feel guilty, like I’ve been doing something wrong. I can tell he knows I was with Trevor earlier. I’m not surprised. The town is probably rolling with rumors about our status.
“I need to talk to you about the ranch.”
“I have it under control.”
“I quit school and want to start to revitalize the ranch.” My words come out so fast I worry they clustered too much for him to understand.
“No. You need school.” He shakes his head like I’m a toddler.
“I dropped out.”
“You better not have, I haven’t risked this place just so you could play in make-believe land, young lady.” I hate when he tries to take the father role.
He takes a deliberate step toward me, his eyes full of anger. “You better not have made a deal with the devil, Ruby.”
The devil he’s referring to is Trevor.
“It can’t be much better than your devil.” His face comes within an inch of mine and I’m scared. I’ve never seen Luke this mad at me.
“You ran away, like the spoiled princess you always have been. I have always cleaned up your messes.”
I bite my lip. I hate that it’s true. He would always stick up for me, bully whoever bullied me, and stick up for me against our parents. I’ve always stayed behind him, letting him shield me from anything.
“Not anymore. Trevor is offering me a good deal.” I don’t let my voice shake like the rest of my body. I’m no good at standing up for myself; I crumble way too easily.
“You take anything from Trevor and you are no longer welcome in this house,” he shouts at me. “I didn’t lift my rifle at that boy just so you could run back to him. I forbid it!”
“You need to hear me out! I have a plan, I’ve been crunching the numbers for a while now.”
“You need to get out if you are going to keep speaking to me about this. Or stay and keep the fuck out of my business, my ranch!”
The tears are pooling in my eyes and I fight to keep them at bay. “You need to listen to me!” I beg; my knees drop slightly, pleading with him.
“Out!” He points toward the door. Fighting with him right now is useless and I can already tell.
I stalk toward the door, stopping in the doorway, hoping he will start to feel guilty for how he is treating me. But his eyes glow with more hatred. This is what my family has become. Our once loving tightknit group has been diminished to everyone for themselves.
I really haven’t thought walking out through. My head was so fuzzy from Tyson I forgot I left my car at Van’s. It’s not fully dark out but this far out in the country seems way darker than it is. The train whistle can be heard in the distance, reminding me just how far away the town is. I can feel my eyes grow wide as I make my way toward the setting sun. Hearing the crunch of gravel in the distance solidifies my idea of sticking my thumb out.
I haven’t hitchhiked since the city welcomed me into its vastness and let me disappear into its walls.
Chapter 17
TYSON
“He’s dead! I just know it.” The voice sounding through the line is hysterical. “There is so much blood, it’s everywhere!” the voice shrieks into the phone, making my ear buzz.
“Slow down, who’s dead?”
Sobs and hiccups overtake the phone line.
“Andrea, who’s dead?” I ask, still uncertain even if it’s her.
“My dad!” her voice shrieks again, causing me to pull my phone away from my ear, still hearing her perfectly.
My breathing stops. No, no, no. This is bad.
“I can’t get a hold of your dad, he seems to be missing!” It takes a few moments for her to get the words out between sobs.
I slump down onto my bed. My mind goes on high alert, taking in the limited information. I’m a little worried this could be the start of an uprising for having Andrea initiated into our society. I heard the low rumblings of the other members when her “job” went sideways and didn’t proceed like it was meant to. I had tried to hush it as much as possible, but somehow it was leaked.
My mind swirls with possible plans for every scenario. My hands hold my phone and my face as I hunch over into them, trying to concentrate while blocking out the sobs and muffled movements on the phone. Minutes pass before I speak.
“Andrea, I’ll be back in the city soon.” I hang up, my mind continuing to be tormented with thoughts and ideas.
Before I can do anything else, a knock on my door has my spine chilling. Opening up my small duffle bag, I take out a small concealable pistol before looking into the peephole to only see a sad looking Jewels. My shield cracks further for the one girl who is able to penetrate my walls.
Instinctively, I place the pistol in the back of my pants while I open the door slowly, confused by her presence. “Jewels, are you okay?”
Her cold arms wrap around me, holding me tight. It’s one of those holds that seem more than just a hug, one that wants to say one hundred things. I’m shitty at feelings and emotions, and wish just this once I understood girls. I wish I knew what she wanted me to know by this hug.
“Is it okay that I’m here?” she asks in a small voice.
“I would have invited you earlier if I thought you would come back with me.” She looks up at my face and I give her a smile as I try to cheer her up.
“Why are you so cold?” I ask, rubbing my hands over her back and arms before I realize we are still standing in the doorway. I can see a moth flying around the motel’s light from having the door open for so long in the dark. I begin to usher her into my room.
“I hitchhiked, and the car I was in had their AC cranked to the top level.”
I hold her out so I can see her better in my embrace. “You hitchhiked?” I growl, as I pin her with my eyes.
She lifts a golden eyebrow at me. “Yes, not my first rodeo there.”
“It better be your last rodeo, darlin’. That shit is dangerous. And I will risk no girl of mine like that.” The words come out so naturally that I’m shocke
d by them. But they’re out now and I refuse to back down.
“No girl of yours?”
Is that a playful smirk I see her trying to hide?
I cup her face, trying to reel in the alpha in me. “Damn right. You’re my girl. And you will not do that again.” Then I crush her lips against mine before she can argue with me. I wrap my hand around the back of her neck as I pull her tight against me. My tongue sweeps her lips as they open. She tastes perfect, just the right amount of sweetness. She meets my pace, like this kiss is the kiss that our survival depends on.
Remaining a gentleman, I place her in bed with me. Nothing else, not tonight. Next time we share a bed together she will be screaming my name. I turn to my side to watch her peaceful face. This is the second time I have stopped to watch her facial expression in these few weeks. There is too much going on for me to sleep. My chest is pounding too fast; I can’t relax into sleep like her. I wish it came that easy for me.
Slowly, I slip out of bed, needing to move my body more. Lying down and doing nothing is only making my nerves worse. Heading into the bathroom, I pick up my phone along the way and close the door behind me. I call the one guy I know who will be straight with me. Liam Walsh. He is one of the lucky few who has backed our society; in return he has continued to climb the law enforcement ladder higher each year. He has become a detective but will continue to rise. I will make sure of it.
“Tyson Bennett, what do I owe the pleasure?” He answers on the first ring like he was waiting for a call.
“I heard about Mr. Lewis. Can you tell me anything about it?”
“The whole situation is messed up, man. I have secured the scene, but I’m on my way out of town so I can’t guarantee it will stay that way.”’
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“Not yet. It’s hard to determine when there is no body.”
“What? Andrea told me there was a lot of blood, that her dad is dead.” Now I’m confused.
