Taking out his cell, he sent off a quick text to Vanessa and prayed she returned it.
It killed him that she hadn’t responded to his calls or texts, but he figured she was just busy with her store. He had only been gone two days, and the time away from her felt like an eternity. Unable to wait to see her a moment longer, he said, “Stop in town, Carter. I’m not giving her any more room.”
Carter turned to him and grinned. “Now that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a while.”
Carter stepped on the gas as their vehicle sped down the highway as they headed to claim the woman they wanted.
They arrived in town moments later and parked in front of Treasures-A-Plenty. Turning of the engine, Carter and Brice grinned as they exited the cab and headed into the store, only to be stopped dead in their tracks as Vanessa and Peter were in an intense argument.
“You knew and you didn’t say anything!” she yelled.
“I only found out this morning. The bastard came over and told me himself.”
“I don’t believe you. He’s your friend. You had to of known what he did for a living and why he was possibly here,” she accused.
“Regardless of what you think, I do not worry my day away with what my friends are doing. I do have a life, Vanessa.”
“You could have warned the town.”
“How could I warn them when I didn’t even know why he was here? Now that I do, I’ve already called Matthew and he’s letting the ranchers know. This town isn’t going to sit idly by and let Tristan buy everything.”
“He already has! He owns my place and several others.”
“Not your place, not anymore.”
“What do you mean? Are you telling me he wants me out already!”
“No, I’m telling you he doesn’t own your store. I do.”
“What?” she whispered.
“As of this morning, I gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
“Which was?”
“I’d let him go on breathing, if he sold me your store. He was very eager to let it go.” Peter grinned.
“So you own my store,” she muttered, moving slowly away from him. “Was this your plan all along?”
“What?” Peter asked, shocked.
“I’m not stupid. I know you wanted me. You conspired with that son of bitch to get what you wanted. The two of you fucked me royally. I hope it was everything you wanted. I’ll be out by the end of the week. Please leave,” she whispered vehemently as tears rolled down her cheek.
When she turned to leave, Peter grabbed her arm, but Brice couldn’t stay quiet any longer and spoke up.
“Let her go, Peter.”
Peter and Vanessa turned to see him and Carter standing there by the front door of her store. Moving deeper into the room, he said again, “I said let her go.”
Peter dropped his hand, and Vanessa brushed her tears away. It broke Brice’s heart to see her in so much pain. All he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he knew if he touched her, he would lose her forever. However, what happened next he did not expect as she ran to him, wrapping her arms around her. When Carter stepped over to him and gently rubbed her back, she didn’t flinch.
Solemnly, Peter looked at her and then him. “Take care of her.” With his words handing in the air, no one said a word as Peter walked silently out of the store as Vanessa openly wept.
* * * *
Vanessa didn’t know why she was weeping. All she knew was that she was acting like a baby and she couldn’t stop. It was embarrassing and beneath her. She hated crying, and that fact made her cry more. She should have been overjoyed that Peter bought her store, but she couldn’t let herself admit that fact when he should have asked her first. She hated the fact that he went behind her back and bought it, but she felt relieved. She was so damn confused, which started another round of tears.
“Baby, I’m begging you, please stop. You’re killing me over here,” she heard Carter say. Looking up from Brice’s chest, she tried to smile, but the tears overcame her and soon, she was once again ensconced in Brice’s strong embrace.
“Brice, make her stop,” Carter said seriously.
“And just how in the hell do I do that, Carter?” Brice asked.
“I don’t know, but try something, anything. Just make her stop,” Carter said, frustrated.
Removing herself from Brice’s embrace, Vanessa stood and said, “I’m sorry, guys, but I need some air.”
Not waiting for them to respond, she walked out of her store and into the bright sunshine. She had no idea where she was going, and she didn’t care. She needed to get away to think and the further away from town she was the happier she would be. She wished she had her vehicle, but since it was still at Cove’s Auto Body being repaired, she was left with her own two feet. Well, one foot and a prosthetic. Thanking the lord she was wearing sneakers, she headed for the outskirts of town.
Vanessa didn’t know how long she had been walking, but when she felt the first drop of rain hit her face, she looked up at the sky and noticed the dark clouds looming overhead. Smiling, she stopped in the middle of the road and let the rain fall gently on her face as if it were washing away all her troubles. After a couple of minutes, she looked around, and realized she had no idea where she was at or how far she had walked. All she knew was that she was out in the middle of nowhere, and the dark clouds overhead had started to rumble.
Just as soon as the rain started, it stopped as an unbearable heat began warming her body. She hated this part of summer, where the small rains only accentuated the heat. A dry heat she could handle, but thanks to the rain, she was now damp and sticky as her clothes adhered themselves to her body.
She saw a car off in the distance, and moved over to the side of the road. As the car approached, she recognized the make and model. There was no mistaking the ‘57 Chevy Convertible soft top. She loved old custom cars, and the one making its way toward her was defiantly a custom job, with its new paint and supped up engine that rumbled louder than the thunder moments ago.
When the car slowed, she peered over her shoulder and sighed.
“Get in,” he ordered.
“Go away, Peter. I have nothing more to say to you,” she replied and started walking again.
“Well then you can sit and listen to me, because I have plenty to say.”
Ignoring him, she kept walking.
“Don’t make me put you in this car,” he said angrily, and Vanessa stopped. Turning, she faced him and grinned.
“You and what army?”
Before she could move, Peter was out of his vehicle quicker than she could blink and standing before her. “Me. That’s all it’s going to take. Now get your ass in that car before I put you there.”
“I hate to break it to you, He-Man, but you don’t own me, and you sure as hell don’t get to boss me around. So back the fuck off,” she replied angrily.
“No,” Peter said before he picked her up and unceremoniously placed her in the front seat of his car. Screaming, Vanessa swatted at him, “You asshole!”
“Yes, and much more. Now, put your seat belt on.”
“Go fuck yourself!”
Growling, Peter ran his hands through his hair. He took a deep breath, calming himself, before he leaned down and said, “For the next few hours I need you to trust me.”
Vanessa huffed, crossed her arms, and said nothing.
Trust him! Ha! I’d rather trust a rattlesnake.
* * * *
The night was warm and damp as his car’s headlights pushed their way through the darkness. Peter had been driving all afternoon in the summer heat, trying to get through to the stubborn woman beside him. Even with the wind pouring in through the open windows, nothing could dispel the mugginess that lingered in the warm leather of the car seats and the sticky air. She made a sound, and Peter glanced over at her. She was slouched uncomfortably with her head on her arm against the car door, trying restlessly to sleep. He co
uld see by the light of the moon the shimmer of perspiration on her upper lip and forehead, the shadows of her breasts through her clinging blouse. With his right hand, he quietly cleared away the small blanket and pillow that belonged to his son onto the floor in the back seat, wishing to disturb her as little as possible. She sighed restlessly in her sleep again, tossing her head toward the wind. Peter curled his fingers around her arm, making little murmurs of encouragement in his throat as he slowly pulled her over to cradle her head on his lap. He could not hear her thanks through the rush of the wind, but as he caressed the hollow of her throat and the curve of her lip, he could feel the vibration of her mumbled relief through the material of his jeans as she kissed his fingertips in sleepy thanks. Quite enough for him as he smiled inwardly and squeezed her shoulder gently in acknowledgment. Peter stepped gently on the gas, as the night passed on.
Driving into the darkness, Peter relaxed as night driving had relaxed him many times before. He could think on the open road. When times were hard for him and he felt as if he were suffocating, he would jump in his car and drive for hours. Like tonight, and the nights before, the silence of the open road helped.
Her moan permeated through the silence as she turned over on her back, looking lazily up at him. She arched, catlike, as she stretched. She trailed her fingers around his face and lips. Peter rubbed his cheek against the back of her hand as he cupped her face in his fingers.
“Why did you do it?” she asked. Peter sighed. He knew she would eventually ask him. They had been driving for hours in silence, but the time had come. Taking a deep breath, he replied, “I knew of no other way to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“Tristan.”
“Why would I need protecting from him?”
“Because he is about to cause tremendous trouble in this town, and I didn’t want you involved in any way.”
“So you bought my store from him?”
“Yes.”
More awake now, Vanessa looked up at him, needing more answers. He wanted to tell her everything, but he promised Tristan he’d stay silent for another forty-eight hours, giving his friend the time he needed to inform the town. She grinned mischievously and nipped his fingers, sucking them deep into the hollow of her warm mouth. Peter let his fingers stay there, his eyes on the road, enjoying the moist sensation as she suckled and licked, exploring his palm with her tongue. As he slowly withdrew his fingers from her lips, he could see the muted lights of the dashboard shining off her saliva as he brought them up to his face. He slipped his fingers inside his own mouth, tasting her, and licking his fingers dry of her essence. He looked down and tugged her ear as he saw her smile impishly before settling herself again for sleep, but not before the words “thank you” escaped her lips.
Pulling off the road, Peter drove a few feet more, coming to a stop in an open field. The skies had cleared, giving way to a black obsidian sky that twinkled like a million fireflies in sky. Before turning off the ignition, he pushed a button and watched as the soft roof of his vehicle slowly moved back. The cool night’s air swept around him as he looked at the beauty asleep on his lap.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered, letting his words drift away in the night’s breeze. He still couldn’t believe she was with him. They had argued and fought while driving nowhere, but in the end, he felt as if they had resolved their differences. Well, she did say thank-you before she passed out from exhaustion. However, none of that mattered anymore. Alone, at night, in a parked car with a woman he secretly loved was more than a cliché. It was downright funny now that he thought of it. He wasn’t some teenage boy anymore. He was a grown man, a father to a precocious six-year-old boy, and regardless of who or what he was, he was in love with the woman in his arms. Looking toward the sky, he closed his eyes and savored this moment, for he didn’t know when it would ever happen again.
Deciding to let her sleep, he gently slipped from the car, trying desperately not to awaken her. He knew she was tired, and he needed a few moments alone, away from her. His body wanted but his mind kept saying no. It was hard for him, being so close he could almost grab her, yet she wasn’t ready for him. Hell, he wasn’t sure she was ready for Brice and Carter, though she welcomed them. Only he wasn’t so sure she’d welcome him. He hadn’t been the nicest person to her, and then to top it off, he went and purchased her building without asking her. It was the right thing to do, and there was no way he was ever going to apologize for that. He would move heaven and earth to make her happy.
She amazed him every moment of the day with her sheer determination and spunk. She was feisty and fun, and she never let anything get her down. She was what he and his friends had been looking for, and now that she was within their grasps, he was scared. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that. It wasn’t easy for him to trust another woman, but oh boy did he want to trust Vanessa.
Turning to make sure they were alone, he walked a few more steps and removed his clothing. Stepping into the cool water of the pond before him, he swam out to the middle and floated. Looking at the stars above, he let all of his troubles float away in the night air.
* * * *
It was hot, very, very hot. Rolling on her back, Vanessa stretched making her shirt stick to her body like second skin, but most of all it made her think of the hot nights and silk sheets of her dream lover. Above her, the night stars twinkled brightly as the moon, big and bright, illuminated the area around her. Sitting up, she scanned the area, wondering where Peter had gone off to. Hearing a splash of water off to her left, she exited the vehicle and went in search of him.
Passing a large oak tree, she stopped. She had found him, all of him, in glorious detail, rising from the water of the large pond, like a Greek god, all wet and bronze and muscles, and naked. She gaped openly, taking in his muscular physique, firm stomach, and strong legs. He was magnificent. She had never really seen his wide naked chest, lightly speckled with soft brown hair, or his broad shoulders. She had never noticed how his abdomen muscles rippled as he moved. She had never seen his long, lean legs that seemed to stretch forever into the one secret place that made him all male. She found herself unable to tear her eyes from the junction between his long legs that held the most beautiful piece of manhood she had even seen.
A small sigh escaped her lips as she admired the superb male form in front of her. Peter must have heard her, as he looked around trying to find the source of the noise. As he turned his body, she was presented with full frontal view of his erection, long, just thick enough, smooth, and utterly mouth-watering. She mentally kicked herself. What was she thinking? This was the man who now owned her store, but it was also the man who took her in, cared for her, and protected her from his friend. However, she didn’t rightly know what Mr. Summerfield was up to, nor did she care, because thanks to Peter, she had her store back. She didn’t know why he did it, or how she was ever going to pay him back. She only knew that she was grateful.
Moving closer, Peter swiveled around to where she was standing.
“Vanessa?” Peter started. His face registered surprise at seeing her standing there. Surprise turned to a sly glint as he put two and two together. When she realized that he knew she had been watching him naked, her face grew hot, and not just because of the weather.
“Vanessa?” Peter slowly waded out of the water, water streaming from his wet hair, onto his muscled chest, down to his chiseled stomach, toward his growing cock.
She tried to close her eyelids as they again migrated southward. She tore her eyes away to look at his face. He was looking at her with a strange expression. He had a noticeable hunger etched on his face and softness that put her at ease inside. Whatever it was, she couldn’t look away. She felt blinded by the beauty in front of her. She knew she should turn around and wait for him at the car. Her brain was screaming at her to run as fast as she could. But she was stuck to the ground, unable to move or take her eyes off him, like a deer frozen in front of an oncoming truck with its
blinding headlight.
He was standing close, so close she could count every freckle on his nose. If she stuck her tongue out, she could lick up the small droplets of water on his chin.
Without looking away from her, Peter reached out and took her face in his hands. She was so embarrassed and aroused. She couldn’t face him, and closed her eyes.
“Open your eyes, Vanessa,” he whispered against her skin. She shivered. She could feel his hot breath on her heated face, tracing her jawline to rest near her lips. She could almost taste him. He was so close. Something warm and soft touched her lower lip, and her eyes flew open. Peter was staring at her as his finger rubbed her lip so lightly. She barely resisted the temptation to take that finger into her mouth and suck it as she wanted to suck something else of his.
He seemed to tear his eyes away from them to look at her. His gray eyes were dark, stormy, and hungry, and she wanted to drown in them. She wanted to lean forward and touch her lips to his. But the rational part of her mind that was screaming at her to turn away, told her this was a hard man, a dominant man, a man who didn’t take orders well, and she hesitated.
He took her decision away from her as he lowered his mouth and touched her lips gently.
He was sweet and soft and everything she desired yet never wanted. He didn’t push her to open her mouth, he was not insistent about moving his lips, and he didn’t try to grope her body. He simply touched his lips to hers and, in doing that, stoked the fire that had been building inside her stomach since she had started dreaming of him.
After what seemed like days, he moved away slightly and looked at her with a question in his eyes. She was still in shock and steadily burning up and looked back at him with slightly confused eyes.
Joyce, Rebecca - Her Dirty Mechanics [The Men of Treasure Cove 12] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 15