by Rona Jameson
“Are you okay?” Rafael looks over his shoulder.
“Thinking.”
“About?”
“I’m getting a bad feeling in my belly about this.”
Rafael hesitates and reels me in. “This whole town gives me a bad feeling.” He runs his hands through his dark hair, which is damp with sweat. It might be evening but it’s warm and humid. “We’ll check the cabin out and then go to my house. My dad should be home.”
“Providing we find something bad,” I whisper.
“I’m expecting to find something bad, Wren.”
“I am, too,” I admit. My hand is once again engulfed in Rafael’s much larger one as I follow him like a lamb being led to slaughter.
It doesn’t take long before we arrive at the gravel road leading up to Wild’s cabin. I swallow hard in nervousness and get dust in my throat. I cough and inhale through my nose, the dust finally disappearing. A bottle of water would have been useful. We didn’t think to bring anything with us but, then again, we’re not expecting to need anything. Barbed wire fencing looks old and rusty as we walk up toward the cabin. Wild’s mailbox leans to the side and is nearly lost in the weeds. It’s quiet except for the sounds of crickets and grasshoppers whirring as they keep us company.
Glancing around, I’m thinking that we should have approached through the tall grass and weeds so as not to be seen from the cabin if anyone is inside. However, I’m not really all that keen on that idea. The thought of stepping on a snake chills me. Hopefully we haven’t made a mistake going up the driveway. It looks like it’s rundown and has been for a while. It surprises me because Peter Wild hadn’t appeared to be anyone who the Reverend would associate with. Not if the driveway is a sign of what we see when we rounded the bend in the road.
“Is this the right place?” Rafael asks, looking around.
“Yes.” We’d discussed it at school during our short break when we’d snuck away. The sneaking wouldn’t last because others would know and report us. It was only a matter of time. “Different than what you expected, huh?”
“You could say that.” Rafael continues glancing around. “It’s as though he hasn’t been home for a long time. It has that feel about it.” He pauses. “We know that isn’t the case.”
“I got the impression from the Reverend that Wild had money. I don’t see any sign of that.”
Rafael shrugs and intertwines his fingers with mine. “Watch the steps.”
My heart pounds while I follow Rafael. The steps creak, as does the porch beneath my feet. Goose bumps and cold shivers run down my arms when Rafael tries the front door. It won’t give, which makes me feel a bit better, but then he steps back and kicks in the door. I don’t move. I can’t. I’m shocked that we are here doing this. I’ve never broken into someone’s home before. I’m a good girl.
“Wren?” he questions, his focus on my face. “We have to go inside.”
Nodding, I take a step forward and swallow hard. “I know. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“There’s no one here.” He takes my hand again and keeps me close to his side. “I want to see if there’s anything lying around that he shouldn’t have.” He averts his gaze.
Frowning at Rafael’s odd actions, I take in Peter Wild’s home. It isn’t much and very basic. One chair in front of a large television that is hooked up to digital equipment, and a coffee table with tipped over bottle of beer close to the edge.
The front door slams shut, scaring the life out of me. I whip around and see Rafael standing in front of the closed door with an apology on his face while my heart races. I shake my head. “What kind of stuff are we looking for?”
I have a perfect view of Rafael’s back and something tells me he knows more than he’s told me. His action speaks loudly of that. I just don’t know what he knows or how he can know it.
While heading toward the back of the house, the sound of a car approaching the house causes me to pause. I glance at Rafael in panic.
Sweat beads on his forehead, but he seems to be the calmer of us both. The moment the car comes to a stop outside of the cabin, Rafael moves and shoves me toward the back. “Keep moving, Wren,” he whispers, not that we have a choice.
Before I know it, we’re in the bedroom, which is where I freeze, and Rafael bumps into me. He shuts the door with more finesse than the front one. “Wren, what’s”—he stills beside me—“wrong?” he whispers. “The fucking son of a bitch,” he hisses between his teeth.
That about sums it up. The walls are covered with images of me—floor to ceiling. The images are all sizes, some like posters. Close up and from a distance. Although I struggle to comprehend what this means, Wild has been stalking me for the past few years. Images with my butterflies, in the glasshouse. The ones that really creep me out were taken of me inside my bedroom. My cheeks heat with embarrassment and anger at the ones of me with next to no clothing on. He even has a blurred image of me fully nude. I suppose I should be grateful it’s blurred. I laugh in disbelief at my thoughts. There is something wrong with me if I’m thinking about blurry naked images of me.
A hiss from Rafael draws my attention and I feel sick that he’s seen the nude photograph of me. He notices the horror in my eyes. Moving to me, he gently holds my cold face in his hands. “If someone wasn’t about to enter the cabin, I’d take every photograph down and burn them.” He kisses me hard and deep. “The asshole is lucky he’s already dead, otherwise, I’d kill him.”
The front door slams open before I have time to question Rafael about his comment. Does he know something I don’t?
“Later. I promise, Wren, but right now we have to get out of here.” He jimmies the old window open and starts to climb through when he grabs for me. “Come on, Wren. I’ll lower you down.”
Footsteps moving down the hallway light a fire under me. I use Rafael to steady myself and I’m out of the window before Rafael can help me. The drop isn’t too far, although, the impact shoots pain up the back of my legs, I’m okay. Rafael drops beside me and when I move to run, he wraps an arm around my waist. “Under the window,” he whispers, and gets us there just as the Reverend shoves his head out of it.
My heart pounds and the sight above my head scares me more than snakes. A whimper works itself up from somewhere deep inside of me. I force my lips to stay tightly together while the horror of being so close to the Reverend is written all over my face for Rafael to see. What the hell is going on? He tightens his hand around my much sweatier palm and holds my gaze until we hear the window close. My body sags against Rafael who leans close and presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“Follow me, okay, Wren?” he whispers. “If we get to the tree line over there”—he points—“we’ll be able to watch what they’re up to.”
The moment the words leave his mouth, he tugs me away from our hiding place, and we run. Fear makes me run faster and harder than I ever have before, and as my feet crunch over weeds and shrubs and things I don’t even want to think about, I become breathless. The tree line is directly in front of us as I slowly start to fall behind Rafael. I can’t keep up with his pace any longer. His legs are longer than mine. Even when I hear voices from the cabin, I can’t move any faster.
Moments later Rafael catches me up against his chest. His breathing is as heavy as mine while we stand together trying to slow our racing hearts. “No one saw us,” he tells me. “It’s okay, Wren. I have you.”
His words take a few minutes to penetrate my fuzzy head, and that’s when I realize I’m shaking. My whole body is full of goose bumps, my skin feels sweaty, and I’m fairly sure my face is bright red. “That was close.”
“Look.” He turns me to face the cabin. “They’re clearing the cabin of electronics.” He shakes his head. “I don’t see furniture.”
Wiping the sweat from my eyes, I stare and watch as the Reverend and two of his friends fill up the back of an SUV. There’s some shouting and then the two men start throwing liquid all over the porch and outside wa
lls.
“They’re about to torch the place.” Rafael squeezes my shoulder. “No one will ever see the bedroom, Wren.”
“I feel dirty having seen that room.” I shudder at the thought of what Wild got up to in that room.
“You haven’t done anything wrong.” Rafael pulls me to him and tilts my face up to his. “We won’t tell anyone about what we saw. Not even my father. I promise, Wren.” He kisses my lips quickly. “We need to get away from here.”
“We need to call the fire truck.”
“No. They’ll know we were here…and there’s no fire yet.”
“But the fire will spread to the trees.”
“I don’t think they’ll let it get that far because if they do, the Reverend would be risking his house too. After one more glance toward the cabin, we turn to leave.
Our fingers intertwine and Rafael leads me through the foliage until we skim the outside of my house. We don’t stop there and keep going to his house. I nervously glance over to mine but know the Reverend isn’t there. He’s at Wild’s home. I allow Rafael to shove me in front of him and into his house.
We glance at each other and Rafael offers me a wry smile. “We need to get cleaned up.” He smiles and I follow him as he takes me to his room. He releases my hand and I stay by the door.
Rafael moves around his room. “My dad will be back soon.” He pauses when he sees I haven’t moved. “Wren?”
Swallowing hard, I shuffle further into the room. “I don’t want to go home.” I blow out a large breath and drop to the edge of Rafael’s bed. I wince when dust lifts from me. “Sorry. I didn’t realize I’m covered in dust.”
He grins. “That’s why I suggested we get cleaned up.” He holds his hand out for me. “Come on. I’ll show you my bathroom.”
I laugh. “Oh, really?”
He rolls his eyes and laughs. “If you’re willing to share my super large shower, then I’m not going to object.”
“I’ve never shared a shower before.” And I need my mind distracted from everything that’s happened.
“First time for everything.” He grabs my hips and lifts me to the bathroom counter. “We need to talk first.” He glances at the shower and sighs before he meets my gaze. “I’m worried because I didn’t suit up last night. I know I said it then, but it bothers me that I didn’t take care of you.”
“Suit up? And you did take care of me.”
“I didn’t wrap my dick, Wren.” I see the humor in his gaze. “It felt incredible being inside of you without wearing a rubber, but the last thing we need is for you to get pregnant.”
The light bulb goes off in my head as to what he’s telling me. “I could be pregnant?” I smile, not opposed to the idea. Although, I should be at my young age.
Rafael lifts a brow. “Wren?”
“I’m not sure I like the idea of you being inside of me wearing something. You felt really good last night.”
He swallows hard and drops his forehead to mine. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
I laugh and drag my fingernails down his chest to his belly, which quivers at my touch. “I know exactly what I’m saying. I loved feeling you come inside of me—feeling the warmth of your release.”
“Fuck!” His hands tremble as he slowly starts to unbutton my shorts while his eyes hold mine. “You’re my girl, Wren.”
I lift up and he tugs my shorts and underwear down my legs before he settles between my legs again. His hands grab my ass and he shuffles me to the edge of the counter. I gasp when my sensitive lips rub up against his jeans where his penis throbs. “You’re mine too.” I chew on my lip debating what my next move should be. All I need is to see the emotion in Rafael to know I need to touch him. I need him to feel what he makes me feel.
As his mouth captures mine in a toe-curling kiss, I slip my hand down the front of his jeans. He moans into my mouth when my fingers first touch his cock. The tip is wet and the flesh jerks as I wrap my fingers around it. He presses deeper with his mouth, his tongue exploring every bit of space in my mouth and dancing with my tongue, slipping and sliding together.
Rafael lifts his head and removes my hand from his jeans, and then my top disappears to the floor and my breasts swing free. All pleasure shoots between my legs the moment he cups me and rubs his thumbs back and forth over my sensitive nipples. I arch, throwing my head back, and moan when his hot, wet tongue laps at each in turn. My fingers slip through his hair and I hold him to me. I never want him to stop doing what he’s doing. My body feels alive and desperate to feel him pushing between my legs like he had the night before.
“Wren,” he whispers, his voice deep and husky, “you have no idea how sexy you are right now. It drives me crazy how you react to my touch.” His hands massage my breasts, my nipples rubbing against his palms. Rafael licks between my breasts and moves his head downward, swirling his tongue around my belly button before he dips lower. He quickly releases me to remove his own clothing.
Before he drops to his knees, I catch sight of his hugely erect penis. It looks hard and throbs with a wet tip. Then I don’t have time to think of anything else as Rafael touches my pussy. He spreads my lips and moves his face so close that I feel his breath on my mound where he kisses me. The first touch of his tongue causes me to tremble. It feels so good. He does it again and I push against his face, his loving driving me up and up to dizzying heights.
I throw my head back, opening my legs wider as I tilt my hips forward, so close to that moment of ecstasy, when Rafael gets to his feet. He’s crazed and growling, his mouth captures a nipple, sucking and nibbling. The moment he switches breasts, he breaches my opening. I’m so wet that he’s inside with one thrust. My breast drops from his mouth as he gasps in pleasure, his eyes finding mine. He slowly moves his hips and I relish the feeling of him filling me.
My body knows Rafael and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling myself up against him. His arms go around my waist, and he holds me steady. The crest I’m desperate for suddenly reappears on the horizon and I moan into his mouth as he captures mine. I clench and pulse around him as he pumps into me, spilling his release.
Holding each other, our bodies slick with sweat, Rafael cups my face and gives me the sweetest kiss. “I love you, my butterfly girl.”
33
RAFAEL
WREN LOOKS REALLY good wearing my black T-shirt, which comes to her mid-thigh. Her legs are bare, and I have to turn my back. I reach up and hold onto one of the rafters as I stare out of the window and think.
Dad waits downstairs for us, probably just as impatient as us. I’m relieved he’s given me the privacy to be with Wren, but I’m hesitant to go down, even though I need to talk to him. Once Wren knows everything, I know this peace we’ve created between us is going to be shattered. At the end of the day, the Reverend is her father, and that has to mean something. At least, I would think it would.
I tense when I feel the gentle touch of Wren’s hands on my back. Her fingers are like tiny butterflies walking over my skin, and when she presses her lips against my back, the rest of my body goes tense. Turning, I wrap the enchanting girl up in my arms.
I can see the concern in her eyes but before I can ask, she mumbles, “I thought you regretted having me here.”
“What? Hell no!” I squeeze her tightly and then move to cup her face. I rest my forehead against hers and hold her unsure gaze. “I want you here, Wren. I don’t want you ever to go back next door. I want and need you to stay with me. I know that can’t happen until you’re eighteen, but, as soon as you are, we’re leaving. Dad, me, and you.”
Her face crumples and then her tears flow while she buries her face in my chest, her arms wrapping tightly around my waist. “I didn’t know how I was going to leave. I have nothing, Rafael. I’d always planned on leaving but I’d never been sure how to do it. Are you really going to take me with you?” She lifts her tearstained face.
I wipe at the tears, and tell her, “You are my beautiful butterfly girl.
I’ll never leave you, Wren.” I kiss each lid and then her cheeks and place a softer kiss to her lips. “You need to get dressed so we can go and talk to Dad. He has some things to tell you.” I hesitate, and add, “Please remember that I love you.”
She frowns. “You have me worried.”
I shake my head and try to lighten the mood by smacking her ass. She gasps and wiggles, trying to move out of my hold. Unable to resist, I grab her up in my arms and sigh when she wraps herself around me. My hands slip beneath the shirt and cup her bottom. Bad idea. She hasn’t put panties back on yet. Then I smile and take advantage of that, moving us so that her back is against the door. I use my hips to keep her steady, bringing her arms above her head and holding them up there with one hand on her wrists. Our breathing becomes heavy, more so when I circle a hard nipple through her shirt. I pinch and roll it between my finger and thumb and wonder what I’m doing getting us all worked up again.
Dad’s waiting.
Wren moans and my balls ache.
Panting into her neck, I hiss, “We have to go downstairs.”
“No,” she mumbles, rubbing herself on me.
I’m going to be in pain, but the least I can do is make sure my girl isn’t.
Turning, I drop to the bed and, before she can grab me to her, I drop to my knees on the floor. I tug her legs and shove them over my shoulders as I settle between. My eyes focus on the arousal leaking from her body and I desperately want to be inside her again.
There will be time later.
The moment I tickle her pussy with the tip of my tongue, she nearly jumps from the bed. I use an arm to pin her down and continue teasing her, getting her wetter. With my tongue, I search for the small opening into her body and my eyes close at the taste and feel of her on me. The moment I’m loving her with my tongue, she arches upward, her head flat to the bed, and shudders against my mouth. The walls of her pussy convulse and try to suck my tongue further inside of her while she pants through her orgasm. She’s fucking sexy when she lets go in this way.