by Kinney Scott
Natalie panted, “Clothes off.” as she lowered the zipper on his jacket. Leaning in for one more kiss, he then reluctantly backed away to remove every article of clothing. Before a moment had passed, he stood before her, as she gazed at his glorious hard body “Yummy, Seth, you look delicious.”
“You are delicious.” Seth said as he peeled off her towel, revealing her creamy breasts and damp skin. He drew her nipple into his mouth, grazing lightly with his teeth, gentling the pain with a heated swipe of his tongue. Pushing her knees apart with his hips, he used his fingers to tease her folds. Perched on the edge of the counter, first one finger, followed by a second slipped into her hot wet center.
Natalie’s breath caught, as she gave herself over to him, trusting Seth to deliver the pleasure she craved. Still sucking and nibbling on her breast, his thumb circled her bundle of nerves. “Ah, that’s so good,” she moaned.
Seth slowed the strokes, in response she pulsed her hips forward chasing the pressure she was desperate to find. He withdrew his fingers a fraction, tracking across her internal nerves. His fingers repeated this pleasured path, as his eyes studied her reaction. A disappointed moan escaped her lips when Seth withdrew his hand from between her thighs.
He waited until her eyes locked on his, and he again held her rapt attention. Moving her hips to the very edge of the counter, he aligned his cock with her wet center and slid slowly in, a fraction of an inch at a time, savoring her heat. The tight slick space pulsed with her rapid heart rate. An involuntary gasp drew her breath in, as he fully seated in her hot channel.
Seth pulled almost entirely out, took each nipple between his finger and thumb, rolling slightly as he plunged inside. Her body gripped his cock like a vice. With each buck of his hips, he increased the pressure at her nipples. Seth’s unrelenting possession continued until her eyes widened, and her gaze cloaked in pleasured haze. Natalie cried out as an orgasm swept over every inch of her curved frame.
Her pulsing body grasped his cock, triggering a blinding orgasm that he felt take over, consuming his ability to think. He savored the length and depth of the pleasure his woman freely gave. It was only when Natalie looped her hands over his shoulders, and laced her fingers into his hair, that he felt the last waves of his pleasure ebb.
Seth picked her up, remaining seated deep within, while he walked over to the couch. He licked Natalie’s neck, as she enfolded him in her grasp, pressing her breasts to the firm plane of his chest. The couple stayed locked in this intimate embrace, recovering from their reunion. After a few minutes, she began to move, his cock hardening inside her again. Straddling his thighs between her knees, she took over the ride, gliding up and down on his lengthening shaft.
“Take us there. Take your own sweet time. We aren’t leaving here anytime today.” Seth said grasping her waist, lifting as she arched her back, pursuing maximum sensation from every stroke. She gripped the hard ropes of his biceps. His fingers travelled to the mounds of her breast, squeezing the soft contours gently.
Her hips began the grinding action again. Their bodies, already on fire, climbed to a second peak effortlessly. Brought to a slow steady climax that sent wave after wave of pleasure sweeping over them. The couple sank into each other, their glistening bodies sweaty and spent. Seth supported her to her feet. He wandered into the kitchen to grab a bottled water and strawberries as she climbed the steps up to her bedroom.
He found her, already tucked under the warm comforter. As she held the blanket open, his eyes landed on the blue, green, and pink ink decorating her hip. “Sweetness, it’s our hummingbird. That is so beautiful. When did you have that done? I hope I didn’t hurt you by grasping it a few minutes ago.”
She laid the blanket back as he moved in close and traced the art carefully with his fingertips. “It doesn’t hurt any longer. It only itches a little. I’m glad you like our little hummingbird.”
“I can tell you drew the design, it reflects you. Your body makes this even more beautiful,” he whispered as he fed her a few strawberries. Leaning forward, he delicately kissed the brilliant bird. His kisses travelled her body, finally winding a path to her lips again.
“Thank you, Seth,” she murmured between berry-flavored kisses. “I had help on the design from an artist. Rebecca owns a studio on the coast.”
His fingers traced her jaw, caressed her cheek, and began to twirl her damp red hair. “I feel like I’m dreaming Natalie. I can scarcely believe you are lying here with me.”
“Seth, I planned to arrive at your door this morning, but you beat me to it. I debated telling you about my plans, but you were getting ready for the trip to Boise, and I wanted to surprise you.”
“If I had known you were here, I would not have stayed in Boise for another second. This morning, when I spotted your home hidden in the frost covered trees, I couldn’t get here fast enough.”
She settled her hand on his abs, fingers spread across the firm plane. “Seth, I’ve decided to make a few changes.” He waited, praying her thoughts aligned with his dreams. “I’m back to stay. Moving away was fine, but I found my home here in Ashwood.”
“Just in Ashwood?”
“More than Ashwood, here with you.”
“Natalie, I don’t think it matters where you are. You are my home. I would be lost without you. I love you Natalie.” He kissed her, taking her breath into his body, a small possession of her soul.
Pulling slightly away, a tear trickled down her face, “I love you Seth. I love that you gave me time. I love that you trust me. Your love gives me strength.”
As he kissed each tear, a vulnerable gift to him, he settled between her legs, and made love to her with his entire soul, showing his devotion. Pledging herself, she cradled him in her form, committing herself as she welcomed him intimately into her body.
***
About midday, the couple emerged from their seclusion. Seth finally took time to inspect her home. Checking the hookups, and finding the infrastructure sound, he secured all the connections to her tiny house. “I don’t know how I overlooked this before, but this appears solid. Pete must not have used this much in the winter, because I’m sure I would have spotted him here.”
“Ed came over yesterday, on his boat. He said grandpa often stayed here in a tent. He put these electric, water, and sewer connections in, mainly for his friends. I would not be surprised if I found plans for a cabin in his papers. It seems like he planned to build here someday.”
She laced her fingers through Seth’s, but he wrapped her in his arms, protecting her from the cold. “You’re right, Natalie. I can picture a small rustic cabin, tucked back in the trees.”
“Grandpa left me a small fishing boat. The boat and some other gear are waiting for me until I’m ready, over at Ed’s place. How would you feel about building me a tool shed to keep some basics in?”
“Sweetness, I’ll build you a castle, with a tower.” He held her snug in his arms. The frost slowly melted in the warmth of the sun. “Just ask. Anything for you Natalie. I love you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Wade waited two days before meeting with Seth. As desperate as he was to go over his concerns about Mosquito Brewing, he didn’t dare knock on his cousin’s door. Rumors were circulating through town that Natalie’s home now sat on her lakefront property.
Amanda first spotted Natalie passing through town Sunday afternoon. It almost killed her to keep this information to herself. She wanted to talk to her brother before sharing the tidbit to anyone else.
While working on the webpage photography for Whitewater homes, Amanda had come to realize that Nate and Seth loved each other deeply, but fear seemed to reign in her brother and good friend. She knew, eventually one of them would cave, and admit the depth of their love.
On Monday morning, she attempted to track her brother down. When he didn’t show up to work, and she could not reach him by phone, she stopped by his house. His truck was gone, but the door was unlocked. His bags from the trip to Boise la
y just inside the front door. The only explanation she could think of, he had already found Natalie.
Late Monday afternoon Wade stopped by the shop, impatient to talk with Seth. “I saw Natalie passing through town on Sunday. Kelsey let me know her parents spotted her tiny-home at the lake.”
Wade laughed, “If I know Seth, he has Nate trapped in her home right now.”
“Well, you’re probably right, but I’m trying not to let my imagination run with that thought.” Amanda agreed.
“I’m thankful she’s back in Ashwood.” Wade was relieved. “I was afraid Seth would leave. It would have been different for Seth this time. If he had gone, he wouldn’t have returned. He and Natalie are meant to be together.”
“I was young when Seth and Chelsea got married, but not too young to figure out that their relationship lacked a foundation. Natalie is solid. If anything, her need to have her own footing prompted her to leave. But that strength drew Seth to her.” Amanda sighed, “I’m so happy for them.”
Wade sat back, his eyes widening with raised brows. Then he smiled. “Amanda, I mean this in the best way possible, but when did you grow up, and become… so wise?”
Her mouth popped open, and then closed. “Stop tormenting me! I’m your cousin, your flesh and blood, and I’m not twelve anymore!”
Wade laughed, “Well, solve this for me, you wizard of relationships. How long do I need to wait before tracking your brother down?”
“Well, since you have recognized my superior intellect, and magical ways, I will share my wisdom. Tomorrow is probably good. Seth has to pay his crew. He has to surface sometime before noon. Do you want me to let him know you are looking for him?”
“Sure, I will stop by tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for your help Amanda. See you later.” Wade walked to his truck, obsessed over the changes he was considering. He needed to gamble that his timing was right. Risks this big were definitely more gamble than calculation.
***
Early the following afternoon, Wade sat on the leather couch in Seth’s office. The tension on his face unmistakable. Amanda and Natalie left to grab coffee and go over changes to Whitewater’s website. Afterwards, the girls planned to stop in and visit Kelsey. Seth shared some of the less personal events that had taken place over the past thirty-six hours but kept if brief, sensing Wade’s need to get down to his pressing concern.
After listening to Wade as he explained the details of meetings that had occurred in Boise, Seth still had a few questions, “I know expansion is important to you, but what are the negatives if you don’t expand?”
“Creativity and satisfaction more than money. Yes, if everything works well, it will be extremely profitable, but you know that is not my primary concern. Seth, you understand the challenge of building something new, a house that pushes the limits. I have the same desire in brewing.”
Wade leaned forward, his elbows pressing to his knees, “Once a recipe is perfected, and ready for large scale production, my mind obsesses over what I can do next. If I stay where I’m at, I will only have enough tank space to produce the most profitable lines. The demand has simply grown beyond the capacity we currently have. As I expand into new markets this problem magnifies.”
“Assuming you want to stay in the area, do you have a space in mind?”
“Actually, I was wondering if you could get me in touch with the owners of this mill. Several vacant buildings here have the power I need already in place. The industrial space could also house a taproom that would appeal to customers. Does the Fraser family still own it? I have not been able to find them. None of them live here any longer.”
Seth hesitated, “Fraser’s aren’t the owners. They sold the property to me.”
“No Shit?” Wade marveled that his cousin had been able to keep this under wraps. “How did you pull that off?”
“This remains between you and me.”
“Obviously.”
“At first I rented this space from them. I worked with the mill to make sure I had a reliable source for the custom wood products I need to complete my homes. When the economy tanked, tiny homes actually took off. At the same time, so did the food-truck market.
“I get that, downsizing, and others needing a small business with less risk than a full blown restaurant.”
“Exactly. When need for lumber in the housing market decreased, they got in a bind and planned to close permanently. I purchased the place for a great price, and kept the lumber side running at a loss for a few years.
Overtime, I shifted the product lines. I don’t try to compete with big lumber, but focus on specialty woods, for craftsmen or architects.”
“Damn, Seth. Congratulations. Not only for the incredible timing and success in your business, but for keeping this under wraps.”
“Thanks, I guess. Necessity and luck played a significant role in my accomplishment. Now, it appears you may be looking at a similar opportunity. You need to expand, and as luck would have it, your cousin owns a huge empty building!” Seth hoped Wade would take him up on a proposal he had long been considering, just waiting for the right moment to make an offer.
Wade sat back, he knew Seth well enough to guess that his cousin, his closest friend, would offer the space for nothing. That was not going to work.
Seth chose his words carefully, “during the Boise trip, I had time to think while I drove. I’ll admit, Natalie was on my mind most of the time.”
“No kidding, as she should be,” Wade nodded.
“I thought a great deal about your obvious need to expand. Mosquito Brewing needs more space. There aren’t many options in the Ashwood area for that kind of square footage. To keep your brewery a local business it could only be located here.”
“You and I both know I want to keep the business local. My home is here, and more important, my crew,” Wade agreed.
Seth hoped his proud cousin would at least consider the option he had in mind, “what I’d like to do is have you use the space rent free. There isn’t any reason to waste your capital on a lease. Invest it in the expansion.”
“You and I both know I’m not mooching off you. Not happening.”
“I never expected you to. I have always wanted to invest in Mosquito, but clearly most of my funds are tied up in my business, and this property. Let me become an investor by providing the space and the improvements.” Wade was finally considering it.
Just a little more convincing, “My crew can handle the hammer and nails part of the construction, and the improvements to the lumber mill. I can share in the cost of materials and cover the time for my crew. When I moved in here I had to make changes to the buildings, so I know what to expect, and can get the job done quicker than anyone else. What do you say, can I become a partner in your business?”
Wade sunk back onto the leather couch, and ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling the stress that was finally beginning to slack. He knew investors would be needed. “Seth, have you really thought about this?”
“Absolutely, for the past couple years. Not many businesses need this kind of square footage, especially in Ashwood. I have been hoping you would want to expand locally, but was concerned you might want to move. The Dalles or Yakima would give an advantage of a bigger population, and lower transportation costs.”
“Local here in Ashwood, that’s my plan.” Wade looked out the window, at light misting rain falling from a steely sky. “If we can hammer out something that works for both of us, I’d love to have you on board as my business partner. I don’t trust anyone more than I trust you. Wade held out is hand to shake on it. “Let’s take a look at my new space.”
Seth smiled, and stood. Instead of a handshake he grabbed Wade into a quick hug. The pulling a large ring of keys from his desk, “I was hoping you would say that. One condition, Wade.”
His cousin turned, before he opened the door to the office, “What’s that?”
“Free kegs of beer.”
“One of the many perks of owning a brewery. That
goes without saying.” Wade grabbed Seth around the shoulder, as they walked across the wide gravel lot. “Thanks Seth. Thanks for taking a risk on me. It means a lot.”
“This doesn’t feel like a risk. It just makes sense. I believe the expansion will translate to a great opportunity for both of us.” As they neared the first massive structure, wood blackened by decades of exposure, Seth shared his own concern. “You know what scares me right now? Natalie. The risks I want to take with her, with my future, I don’t want to fail again.”
“Seth, I’m guessing you plan to marry Natalie?”
“If I can convince her.”
“Congratulations.”
Seth worried, “She hasn’t said yes, I don’t even have a ring.”
Wade smiled, and tried to take his cousins concern in stride, “Don’t worry, she’s the one. Natalie doesn’t want anyone but you.”
“God, I hope so.”
Seth sorted through his keys, locating the one that released the heavy padlock hanging from a chain. To let maximum light into the vacant structure, Seth pushed the massive door open. Wade stood for a moment, before examining the space carefully. Already he could picture the layout that would best handle the needs of Mosquito Brewing.
The two men, ambled with long certain strides from building to building, discussing the pros and cons, but Seth’s thoughts repeatedly returned to his plans for Natalie. Thoughts that stretched from tonight to every night in the future.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Amanda and Natalie added final touches to the decorations on the Thanksgiving table. The dining room overflowed. A second table pushed against the first, creating room for Seth’s parents to host Seth and Natalie, Owen and his wife Lisa along with their two kids, the youngest brother Neil, and of course Amanda. Ben had also accepted an invitation to join their feast.