Best in Show

by Lilliana Rose

  “Not yet. Though I’m in control, and this is the last one.”

  “Sure it is.” Max didn’t believe Sam. It didn’t matter. This was one time of the year they got together for some downtime.

  “You saying I’m a liar?”

  “No, mate.” He patted Sam on the back.

  “Good. You’re not a bad bloke, though others might say otherwise.” He raised his glass to Max.

  “Thanks, Sam.” Max clinched his mug of beer against Sam’s. He took a sip, it was warm liquid and not as nice as when the beer was icy cold. He was nursing this last beer, his head was blurry at the edges and he wanted to keep in control. As much as he could with Zoe in the same room as him. She was so close. About ten strides away if he were brave enough to take them. I’m not. Though, he couldn’t help thinking that he might be if he gave it a little longer. If he sat there on the stool, sipping his beer, his courage would return. I should be brazen. But he was. Sort of. He offered his help when he saw them in the barn trying to wash her foot and he was shot down by her. He’d never had that happen before.

  Safer to sit here, finish my beer then go.

  He should go and check on his cattle soon. But he didn’t move. He’d slowed down on the beer, Sam and Nick hadn’t, and they were having a right old time talking crap. He listened with one ear to them, joining in, so they didn’t think he was all broken-hearted.

  Sam had now moved over to say something to Nick. They were both happy drunks, and not so bad to be around. Max took a gulp of his beer.

  Best get this over with. He would give her one more go. When he finished this beer. He stared down into the amber liquid, a little froth on the top.

  Max looked up from his beer to see Zoe coming towards him. He needed to end this drought with women, and he knew just the woman to do that with. Could he swallow his pride so that it could happen? He felt uncomfortable with each step closer she came. Her dress moving gracefully around her legs, a look of determination on her face that both scared and aroused him.

  “I’m sorry.” The words blurted out before he could refuse to ever say them.

  Zoe froze on the spot. Her forehead wrinkled slightly as if she were thinking, her expression endearing.

  Max swallowed hard. I’ve done it now. I’ve really frightened her off.

  “I thought you didn’t apologise.” It was a statement, soft and clear, which added to the tension between them. He could feel it. The electricity grew in the air. The negative build-up of electrons were reaching a point which would soon result in sparks being fired off. He liked it. This feeling of strength and power, and that there was a woman who could meet him in such a commanding way.

  “It’s a one-time thing, take it or leave it.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Wise choice.” Relief flooded through him. So far so good. I can do this. Talking with someone as strong and stubborn as himself wasn’t going to be easy. He liked a challenge, but Zoe could well be out of his league in so many ways.

  “Take a seat, I’ll get you a beer.”

  “I can get one myself.”

  “Consider it part of the apology.” He signalled to the barman. “On the tab.”

  “You get special treatment here then?” she asked.

  “Sometimes. Not often. Must be because I’ve got a hot woman with me.” He enjoyed seeing her blush. One for me.

  “You’re a bit of a hard nut.”

  “Well, please don’t crack me. It’ll make a mess everywhere, and there’s been enough of that already today.”

  Zoe laughed. The sound of her having fun eased some of the tension within Max, leaving space for him to breathe a little easier.

  The barman put two beers on the small round table.

  “Thanks.” Max nodded at him before he left.

  “So you do have manners after all.”

  Max grinned. “Sometimes.”

  “Let me guess, only when it suits you.”

  “Something like that.”

  “And tell me, why does it suit you now?” The cheek in her eyes only made his blood rush to his cheeks quicker. He was almost lost for words.

  “Cheers.”

  “Cheers.” Zoe held up her beer and clinked with his glass. “You’re not getting out of that so easily.”

  “Wasn’t expecting to.” He wasn’t. If he’d learnt anything about her, it was that she wouldn’t back down. That could make things hot and delightful when getting to know her more intimately. His blood now rushed downwards to his groin. He silenced a potential groan escaping from his mouth.

  “Don’t be shy now.” She tilted her chin down slightly, the motion turning the tension up another level.

  He cleared his throat trying to buy himself a little more time to think of something appropriate to say. He didn’t want to blow it. “Not every day do I have a hot chick run into me, blasting me with words as if they were bullets.”

  “Is that what I did to you?”

  “You know damn well you did.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “I can only guess you want a bit of fun, just like I do.”

  Her mouth opened a little with surprise. He grinned, glad to put her off guard instead of being on the back foot himself.

  “Well now, there’s no end to your confidence is there now,” said Zoe.

  “I could say the same about you.”

  “Could you now?”

  “I just did.” He winked.

  “This conversation isn’t getting anywhere.”

  “Maybe we should do something else other than talk.” His pulse increased at the suggestion. It was too soon to propose something like talking things further. They’ve just met, they’ve argued more than anything else. But the words were out before he realised, and the thought of getting to touch her soon was making him push forward with the outcome he wanted and was sure she wanted too. Why else would she come over to me?

  “Maybe.” She looked at him directly in the eyes.

  Max could almost see the sparks flying between them. Bright lights bursting with the lust that burned between them to the point of arcing.

  He wanted her.

  Now.

  “But what would you think about what sort of woman I am if I do?”

  The question nearly caught him off guard. “One who knows what she wants.” He turned the beer in his hand. “Which is the sort of woman who turns me on.”

  “Well, it’s not like you can take me here.” She kept his gaze, her eyes reflecting heat, and there was a coolness about her like she was in complete control. It caused his body to react, and he moved uncomfortably in the seat. For a moment he wondered if she could read his thoughts. But, of course, he was certain that his desires were clearly plastered on his face.

  “Something makes me think you would even though we’re in public.” She raised an eyebrow.

  Max stifled a groan of desire. Was she really agreeing to this? A quickie? Some intimate fun. Some hours of fucking? Don’t mess this up. He had to tread carefully, his arrogance could put her off and with what was being suggested he sure as hell didn’t want that to happen. “Of course not. I wouldn’t treat a lady like that.”

  Zoe laughed. “I don’t believe you.” She took a sip of her beer, rolling her lips afterwards as if deciding if she really liked the taste or not. He wanted to kiss those lips with their beer flavour. Instead, Max lifted his beer and nearly drained all the amber liquid in one enormous gulp.

  “Does that mean you’re going to give me a chance to prove otherwise?”

  Zoe smiled. He could’ve sworn that meant that she was saying yes to him. She gracefully stood, the chair legs scraping on the concrete floor. Then she walked away.

  I fucked up. He finished his beer and then stood. It was time to feed the cattle, and then he was getting out of there back to the motel. It wasn’t the first time he’d messed up with a woman, and with bitterness on his lips he didn’t think it would be the last. He moved to go, using all of his willpower not to look over wherever it was that
Zoe had gone. She’d been teasing me. And I fell for it. Like a bloody bull being kept from a cow for years.

  “You’re going to what?” Billie’s eyes were wide with shock. “It was a dare for you to talk to him, not an invitation to go and sleep with him.”

  “Zoe, honey, I don’t think this is a good idea.” Ellie shook her head.

  Zoe glared at her friends. “This wasn’t what you were saying only a few hours ago.” She put her hands on her hips. Her mind was made up. She was throwing caution to the wind and taking a risk with Max. Confidence burned through her veins and she knew exactly what she was getting into.

  Hot sex. No strings attached.

  She had to try this once in her life.

  And Max had gotten under her skin enough for her to want to rip his clothes off and kiss every part of his body, before letting him take her.

  “Okay, okay. You’re right. I just worry about you, you’re my friend.” Billie reached forward and put her hand on Zoe’s shoulder. “We know Max, and he’s… well, you know what he’s like.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes and pushed Billie’s hand away. Apparently, her friends were all talk. Sitting there for a few hours, knowing Max was only half a room away, she’d gone to talk to him on a dare. She guessed her friends were trying to get her to do something different, she’d been boyfriend-less for a while now, by choice. Getting back into dating wasn’t easy. And this wasn’t dating, just pure hot fun. Zoe figured this would be a good intermediate step before she went back on the dating scene.

  “Max is perfect for what I want right now,” said Zoe. “I’ll be fine.” She’d managed some of the top lawyers in Adelaide, she was confident she could handle Max and his arrogance.

  “Do you want us to speak with him?” Billie had a concerned tone to her voice.

  “Why the fuck for?”

  “You know, just to make sure that if he hurts you, he’ll have to deal with us.”

  Zoe didn’t think her friends looked particularly scary. “I’m not into that sort of sex.”

  Ellie laughed. “Good to know, though that was too much information.”

  “What else do you expect? You’ve just been telling me to get it on with him, dared me to go speak with him, and now I’ve decided I’m up for a bit of hanky-panky, you both have gone all nun-like on me. At least my mind is made up for what I want.”

  “Settle down, Zoe.”

  “You’re right. You’ll be fine. What Billie meant to say was that if you need us for anything, we’re here for you,” said Ellie.

  “Do you need condoms?” asked Billie. She picked up her handbag. “I think I’ve got some in here.”

  “You carry around condoms with you?”

  “Of course. Don’t you?” Billie handed Zoe two packets. “I’d give you more, but hey I might end up needing them myself.”

  The women laughed. Zoe took them and quickly slipped them into her handbag.

  “Well, you better hurry up, Max is heading for the door,” said Ellie.

  “Shit.” Zoe rushed towards Max without thinking, cutting him off just before he got to the door. “Where do you think you’re going?” She stood right in front of him, stopping him from taking another step.

  “I could ask you the same thing. You left me.”

  “I had to tell my friends where I was going. Just in case you’ve got an axe stashed away that I’m not aware of.”

  “Oh.” His eyes widened. “You mean… hey, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Good.” She smiled up at his face. The wrinkles on his forehead smoothed out slowly as realisation caught up with him. “I’m taking you up on your offer unless you’ve had second thoughts.”

  “No second thoughts.” He stepped right up to her, slipped his hands around her waist. Heat burned through the thin material of her dress where his hands rested. A shiver of expectation rattled down her spine and filled her with warmth. She kept his gaze, looking into his dark eyes, enjoying seeing the power, which connected with the same strength she had within herself.

  He kissed her. His lips soft carefully placed over hers as if testing the water of a hot bath before jumping in. He moved his lips back on hers, this time pressing harder, pushing her mouth open a little. He tasted salty with a hint of beer, and she liked it. I could get used to this flavour. Her mind blurred at the edge as his tongue slipped over hers. A sound escaped her lips as she gave herself over to the passion which had been teased from her since she first bumped into him earlier in the day. All of that angst within her was slowly replaced with desire and power.

  She went up on her toes to feel more of him, pressing into his body for balance. His hips aligned with hers, and she could feel his hardness against her body adding to the desire that was getting stronger the longer they kissed. She wasn’t sure she could stop, his kisses firm and delightful stirred an ache for more, to continue until this hunger was quenched.

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, just managing to stop herself from lifting her leg over his waist. A small part of her mind aware that they were both in public, even though with his lips against hers it felt like they were the only people around. She wanted to feel all of him. Right here, right now. Suddenly, having to wait to get to this stage after the first collision into him was too long to have had waited. This was what she’d subconsciously wanted, and denying this for hours today now felt like days.

  “Get a room.” Someone giggled as they went past.

  Zoe opened her eyes, awareness of the pub assaulting her senses, with noise and the smell of animals and beer.

  Billie walked past with Ellie. Max pulled away, his hands remaining on her hips as if keeping the claim to her that he wasn’t finished with her yet.

  “You make sure you look after her Max, or we will be after you.”

  Max glanced at her friends and nodded his head, before returning his attention to Zoe. “We should go somewhere more private.”

  “Yes.” Her breath was short, the desire close to bursting within her, she didn’t want to bother going anywhere, or far. She wanted to finish what was started, to feel the satisfaction of pleasure coursing through her body, instead of the tension of anticipation.

  “Come on.” He took her hand, dragging her from the pub.

  She followed willingly. “Where to.”

  “Ah… I don’t know.”

  They stepped outside, it was dark, the music from the rides now louder drowning out the screams of delight and the smells of the warm doughnuts, fairy floss, and hot chips strong in the air, along with the earthy scent of animals and hay.

  Max guided her through the crowd. It was taking too long for Zoe. Walking, she could feel the moisture seeping into her panties. She’d been ready for him back then, and now having to wait was making her frustrated.

  “We going far?” she asked, walking fast to keep up with the urgency to Max’s stride.

  “My hotel is not far.”

  “Good.” Though she didn’t care where they continued. As long as it was somewhere private and that they got there quickly. “Nowhere closer?”

  “Hmmm…” He glanced over to the barn where she’d first met him, but then kept walking.

  The gates to the Leader Street entrance were ahead. He kept moving. “Nah, though I don’t think anyone would be around… I don’t want anyone interrupting.” He pulled her to him, paused, and kissed her. The fire flared inside of her, abdomen muscles clenching with need as she made a soft noise of pleasure.

  “I don’t care where…” started Zoe, but he kissed the rest of the sentence away, before dragging her over towards the gates.

  “My ute is over here.” They rushed through the gates, to the right, and into the carpark. There were a few streetlights around, but it wasn’t a well-lit area. Zoe felt excitement pulse through her. Her heartbeat was double time to the pace she was walking, and her breath short and quick. She could almost taste the anticipation on her lips, and her body responded with equal urgency.

  Max stopped at
his ute which was parked in the back corner of the carpark. It was a Toyota Hilux, white, but covered in mud. The back of the ute had a hard cover over the top like it was used to go camping. No other cars were around this area, even though they had walked past half a dozen or so. It wasn’t that late, but most people were parked there because they had stock in the show and were from out of town, and had most likely called it a day.

  Max turned and scooped her in his arms, pressing his lips on her with a hot urgency. Zoe met his force, opening her mouth to his, ready for his exploration with his lips and tongue. She pushed her hands under his shirt, enjoying the touch of his skin on her fingers, and the firm muscles of his torso. Waiting the last hour to get to this point had left her wanting and she allowed herself to give over to this experience. The tension building with each time she touched a new part of his back as she slowly moved her hands upwards. His arms rested on her lower back, keeping her close to his body.

  Zoe wanted to get closer to him, to feel more of his body on hers. She lifted her leg, pushing it up over his hip, and pressed into him. He was hard. Very hard. She moved her hips subtly from side to side, feeling his cock rub against her. He groaned, the sound driving a spike in her pleasure. She ran her hands down his back, digging in her nails softly into his skin. She felt the moisture seep from between her legs, dampening her panties with a need that she wanted filled. Now. But, she held herself from asking, instead, kissed him harder, sucking his bottom lip playfully.

  His hands moved slowly, exploring her body, moving upwards. The feel of his skin on her back drove her passion higher, and she wished her dress wasn’t there to stop the full effect of his touch. His hands followed the shape of her body, moving around her shoulders in a U-turn motion, then under her arms, and meeting over her stomach before he reached up, cupping her breasts, and squeezing with a needy strength causing her to gasp with pleasure. She held onto his waist for balance and leant backward giving him more space to touch her. She let her head tilt backwards, lifting her chest up into his hands. She groaned as his fingers rubbed over her nipples, they hardened with his touch and ached for more.

  He guided her back towards him and his mouth clamped onto one of her breasts. Moist heat seeped through the thin material and her lacy bra. She groaned heavily with desire, pressing her hips again into his, reminding herself that he was hard, and she was moist and ready for him.