by Hamel, B. B.
I frown a little. I hadn’t heard about layoffs and cuts at the mill, but then again, I haven’t been back long. His anger suddenly makes sense.
But I can feel this about to take a turn. I can feel his anger getting worse, getting dangerous. I lean away from him.
“Leave me alone, Dean,” I say loudly, hoping to shame him away.
The room is nearly silent now. Dean laughs.
“Fuck you, college girl. Tell me what you’re doing there.”
He grabs my arm, fingers digging into my skin. “Get the fuck off me!”
I try to wrench it away, but he holds it tight.
“Dean…” Mitch says softly.
“Fuck you, college girl,” he hisses at me. “You always thought you were better than me, didn’t you?”
“Dean,” Mitch says again, fear clear in his voice this time.
“Fucking uppity slut,” Dean says, leaning close. He looks like he’s about to say more, but suddenly he’s yanked backward. I stumble forward, catching myself, as his hand comes off my arm.
I stare as Dean stumbles back, running into an empty table. He turns to face Case Hammett, looking grim. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a button-down flannel shirt. It’s worn and if I didn’t just see Case a few hours ago, I probably wouldn’t recognize him.
“Leave the girl alone,” Case says to Dean.
Dean’s eye bulge. “What the fuck do you want, Hammett?” he snaps.
Mitch is backing away, terror clear in his expression now. “We were just playing around,” he says.
Case ignores Mitch. He stares at Dean. “Get out of here. If you come back, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t.”
Dean stands up straight, sneering. “You think you can kick me outta here, asshole?”
“I do,” Case says simply. “Now it’s time to go.”
Dean lurches toward him, but Case moves faster. Dean tries to tackle Case, but the taller, stronger man brings a knee up, catching Dean in the face. I hear a crunch as Dean’s nose flattens and breaks.
He drops to the floor with a groan, hands on his face, trying to staunch the blood.
Case sighs, grabs a napkin, and shoves it in Dean’s face.
“Get out,” he repeats.
Mitch helps Dean up and the two guys leave. Dean throws a hateful glare back at me as Mitch drags him out through the door.
Everyone is staring at Case. He looks sad, like he hated every second of that.
“One round on the house,” Case says. “Sorry for the trouble, folks. Show’s over.”
Chatter slowly starts up again. Case turns to me and I just stare at him, too stunned to speak.
Slowly, he smiles. “Welcome home, I guess.”
I shake my head. “What are you doing here?”
He laughs. “I own this bar.”
“You—you, what?”
“It’s called Hammy’s. Where do you think it got that name?”
I bite my lip. Of course, the Hammetts own it. They own everything. “Never thought about it,” I admit. “I guess it’s just always been here, so it never crossed my mind.”
Case sits in the seat next to me. “That’s how we want it, you know. We own it all, but we want you to forget…” He trails off, shaking his head. “Anyway, sorry about him. Dean hasn’t been taking the layoffs well. We had to let his father go.”
“Really? That’s awful.”
Case sighs. He nods, looking pained. “Couldn’t be helped. His father worked in a part of the mill that we automated, and we just… we couldn’t hold on to him. We gave him a good retirement package, but there’s still resentment.”
“I see,” I say softly.
“Anyway, are you okay?”
I nod. “I’m fine.”
“Good.” Case nods at the bartender who brings him a glass of something brown. He sips it, swirls it, puts it back down. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Wait,” I say before I can stop myself. I know I shouldn’t be seen sitting here and drinking with Case. People are already talking about my relationship with the Hammetts, as evidenced by Dean’s drunken outrage just a minute ago, but I can’t help it.
Case just stepped in and did something serious for it. He broke Dean’s nose for me. I’m not some damsel in distress. I was about to throw my wine in the asshole’s eyes and kick him in the balls, but…
It was hot, watching Case stand up for me. I don’t think anyone’s ever stood up for me before in my life.
Folks in Pine Grove don’t go out of their way to help each other. Small towns aren’t always charming and friendly.
He raises an eyebrow at me. “Yeah?”
“Have a drink with me.”
He hesitates, but doesn’t move. “I could do that, but you’d regret it.”
“Why?” I ask, even though I know he’s probably right.
He leans toward me, a little glint in his eye. “Not for the reasons you’re thinking, actually. Sure, people will talk, but they’ll talk anyway. No, you’ll regret it because you’ll like it.”
I frown at him. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ll like it so much, you’ll follow me back home. You’ll come up into my room, let me take your clothes off, let me make your body feel good. You’ll do all the filthy, disgusting, dirty things you never, ever let yourself admit to liking, and when it’s over, you’ll beg for more cock. And that’ll ruin our working relationship, won’t it?”
I stare at Case, at his handsome face, my heart racing. I’ve never had someone talk to me like that before, so filthy and bold. I should be angry, maybe slap him, act affronted. That’s what a good small-town girl would do.
But I’m not a good small-town girl. I’m far from that girl. And Case Hammett is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.
“Maybe I wouldn’t mind a strained working relationship,” I reply. “Although I’m pretty sure your fantasy would work out in reverse.”
He raises an eyebrow, a little smile on his lips. “Oh, yeah?”
“I’d break your heart. You’d never get over it.”
He laughs and leans closer. “I don’t think you’re a heartbreaker, Eden.”
“You don’t know me, Case.”
“True. Guess we’ll see then.” He knocks his drink back and looks at the bartender. “Mae, her drinks are on the house for the next week.”
The bartender nods, an older woman with dyed blonde hair. “You got it, sweetie.”
Case stands. “Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He leaves the bar, slowly pushing open the door. All eyes are on Case Hammett as he disappears into the night.
And I can’t blame them. He’s magnetic, fascinating, exciting. I’m afraid of him still, afraid of the rumors, afraid of the things he just said.
I’m afraid to crawl around his house on my hands and knees.
But I’m too fascinated to look away. I don’t know anyone like Case Hammett. Hell, I doubt there are many men like him in the world.
He’s mysterious. He’s kind.
He’s probably dangerous.
That only makes me want more.
4
Case
I never should’ve gotten involved.
That was a mistake. I haven’t been so sloppy in a long time. Normally I can keep to myself, blend in with everyone else, keep the attention elsewhere. I’ve passed for a long time like that, lurking among everyone else, just another normal guy out for a drink.
But tonight, I fucked all that up. People are going to recognize my face now. It’ll be hard not to, since I’m the guy that broke Dean Fish’s fucking nose.
God damn it. As if my family didn’t have enough problems already. I can only imagine the rumors that are going to start because of this.
I’m such an asshole, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I shouldn’t have stepped in to help Eden, but that’s not even the worst part.
I shouldn’t have spoken to her. I should’ve left as soon as she
was safe. I hate that I let my desire slip out, looking her in the eye, staring at those beautiful fucking lips.
I need those lips wrapped around my cock. I need them sucking my thumb while I fuck her tight little pussy, nice and rough.
I need to her whisper my name, begging for more.
Fucking hell.
I wake up hard as fuck and take a lukewarm shower to calm down. When I’m finished, I barely have enough time to get downstairs and into my study before Eden shows up to work.
I hear her come in. I hear Fox take her upstairs. I’m tempted to follow, but I keep myself under control.
I bury my head in books and get some work done. I fire off emails, I make decisions. I do all the mundane shit a person has to do when they own half a goddamn small town.
There’s a knock at my door around noon. Eden pokes her head inside, and I feel my heart leap.
“Sorry to bother you,” she says.
“It’s fine, come in.”
She steps into my study, shutting the door behind her. She’s wearing a tight, low-cut shirt that shows off just a hint of her breasts and another pair of yoga pants. Her hair’s up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing makeup today.
I smile to myself. She cares what I think of her. I knew she would.
“There’s a room with a bunch of old maps in it,” she says. “Should I go in there?”
I laugh softly. “Shit. The map room. I forgot about that.”
“It’s really dusty. I mean, really bad.”
“Yeah, if you wouldn’t mind. I’d wear a mask or something, though.”
She nods and hesitates. “Do you have any?”
“There’s a supply closet off the kitchen,” I say. “Fox was supposed to show you.”
“Oh, got it.”
I sigh. Fox hasn’t been on top of things like usual, although that’s hardly a surprise. He practically begged me not to hire Eden.
“Come on, I’ll show you.” I get up and lead her back down the hall and to the kitchen.
“Why do you have a map room?” she asks.
“My grandfather collected them,” I answer. “Or maybe it was my grandfather’s cousin. I forget.”
“You have a big family?” she asks.
I shrug. “Used to. Most of them have passed on.”
“You don’t have cousins?”
“I do,” I say. “They all left Pine Grove years ago. Jessamine and I are the last Hammetts in the area.”
She bites her lip but doesn’t say anything. I show her the little supply closet, right around the corner from the kitchen, tucked back across from a little powder room.
“Perfect,” she says, looking through the shelves. “I’ll have everything I need.”
“If there’s anything else, just let me know and I’ll order it.”
“Thanks,” she says.
I linger there, closer to her in the small, tight hallway. I’m suddenly intensely aware of her body, her round, perky breasts, her firm ass. I step closer to her, heart hammering. I know I’m making a mistake.
She looks at me, a little blush on her cheeks. “I wanted to say thanks again for last night.” She speaks quickly, like it’s taking a lot of courage.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say softly. “Forget it ever happened.”
“I can’t. I mean, that asshole… he freaked me out.”
I shake my head. “He won’t bother you again. It’s me he’s angry at.”
“Why does everyone hate you?”
I laugh softly. “I own the town. They blame all their problems on me.”
She bites her lip again. “That can’t be the only source of all those… rumors.”
The words come spilling out and I think she regrets them as soon as she says them.
I sigh. “You know how this town is.”
I don’t tell her everything. I can’t bring myself to tell her that. I don’t think I ever can, or at least I hope I never have to.
Because there’s some truth to the rumors. A lot of truth, actually. Far more truth than I’m comfortable with.
There’s a reason all the Hammett cousins ran the fuck away from Pine Grove, leaving my sister and I alone in this place.
“Yeah, I do,” she says softly.
I step closer to her. We’re jammed in the little closet now, and I hear her back bump up against a shelf. I put my hands on her hips, looking down into her eyes. She tilts her head back, looking back up at me.
“You’re brave for coming back,” I say, nearly a whisper. “I thought you wouldn’t show.”
“Because of what you said?”
“Because of how you reacted to what I said.”
She blinks. “I didn’t… I didn’t react.”
“Yes, you did.” I laugh softly and reach back to take her thick hair in my fist. I pull it, softly, just enough to make her open her lips. “You were flushed and soaking wet as soon as I told you what I really want from you.”
“Case,” she whispers.
“Are you afraid of what that drunk idiot said?” I ask, cocking my head. “Are you afraid of being a whore for the Hammett family?”
Her eyes go wide. She pushes me away, or at least she tries. I smirk and tighten my grip, pulling her head back again.
“Asshole,” she whispers. “I’m not a whore for anyone. I’m just cleaning your house.”
“That’s right, little Eden. You’ll never be my whore, not until you ask for it.”
Her mouth opens but this time, I kiss her before she can reply.
I know I’m losing myself. As soon as I stepped into this dark hallway with her, I knew I was losing control. Fucking hell, I can’t lose control like this. I’ve worked so hard to keep my demons locked up tight, but the sight of her body, her lips, the thought of that pussy against my tongue, it drives me fucking insane. It threatens to break me.
And this kiss…
It’s everything I knew it would be. Intense, delicious. She practically moans against me, hips close against mine. I bet she can feel how fucking hard I am right now. I bet she fucking loves it.
God damn. I pull away from the kiss, almost breathless. I hear footsteps in the other room and I step away.
Jessamine looks down the hall at me. Her smile is wicked as she cocks her head and runs her thumb across her throat.
I glare at her and look back at Eden. When I look back down the hall, Jessamine is gone.
“I have to go,” I say to Eden.
“I, uh, okay.”
I walk away from her, heart beating fast. If I stayed there, I know I would’ve done something stupid. I know I would’ve taken her, right there, for anyone to see. I would’ve licked her asshole, fucked her raw and rough, came inside every inch of her, left her gasping on the floor in a puddle of her own cum.
But I can’t, fucking hell. I can’t let myself go down that path.
I hurry away, back into my study. I slam the door shut behind me. I lock it, sit down in my chair, and take my cock out. I spit into my palm and stroke my hard fucking cock, my thick hard cock, eyes shut.
Fucking Eden. Her lips wrapped around me, looking into my eyes. Her body writhing, red where I’ve spanked her, begging me to keep fucking her, begging me to keep the pleasure going. Eden moaning in pain, in joy, in ecstasy. I can give her that and so much more. I can give her all the pleasure she desperately desires.
I come hard, letting out a soft groan before I bite down on my own tongue to stifle it.
Fucking hell.
I clean myself up. God damn, Fox was right. I shouldn’t have hired Eden.
Except it’s done, and now she’s here. Even jerking my own cock off isn’t giving me relief.
I still want her. I still fucking crave her.
I know it’s only a matter of time before I feed that craving completely.
5
Eden
I spend the rest of the day buzzing off that kiss.
The way I reacted to him took me completely by surprise. I should’ve been
pissed that he was being so forward and controlling, but as soon as he touched me, I knew I couldn’t step away. It overtook me, like someone else was possessing my body.
And it felt good, so freaking good.
Just one kiss is making me dizzy. I’ve never experienced something like this before. Sure, I’ve kissed guys, and even felt really good afterward. But never anything like this. Never an intense, burning need for more.
Not a desire, not a craving, but a need. It’s like if I don’t taste him again, I’ll stop existing completely.
God, it’s so stupid. I try to lose myself in work, dusting the map room. Big plumes burst into the air as I swipe my little duster. I try not to get it in my eyes, but of course I do, and by the time I’m finished I have tears practically rolling down my cheeks.
But at least I had a breathing mask. Otherwise, I’d be choking.
I linger for a few minutes when I’m done. I run my hands over the old paper, admiring the beauty of the drawings. I run my fingers over the furniture, the smooth wood lacquered years ago, but still in amazing shape. Everything in this house is both perfect and ancient.
I guess that’s what it’s like being rich.
“Excuse me.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. I turn and spot Fox standing in the door, one eyebrow raised.
“Oh, you scared me,” I say, heart beating fast.
He smiles slightly. “No reason to be frightened. I simply wanted to see if you were hungry?”
I laugh, a little uncomfortable. “I’m okay, thank you.”
“It’s no trouble, really. It’s what I do here. Cooking, straightening, running the home. Master Case sent me to provide for you.”
The way he says that last sentence sends a shiver down my spine. “Really, I’m fine.”
“You must eat,” he insists. “I have some homemade chicken noodle soup downstairs. Will that be acceptable?”
Before I can turn him down, he turns and leaves without another word.
“Oh, crap,” I say to myself, sighing. I don’t know why I don’t want to eat here.
Maybe it’s all those rumors. All those missing people…
Fox comes back a few minutes later with lunch on a tray. He smiles and places it down on a desk in the corner.