Hurricane

by Taige Crenshaw

  There was no sign listing what movie would be played. It could be a current release or an older movie. Three different movies played each week—Monday to Wednesday, they opened at six o’clock and one movie showed three times before they closed. Thursday to Saturday night a different one showed at the same time slots. Sunday was family day—they were open from noon to midnight and showed various family friendly movies. To find out what was playing any day, you had to call and an automated message would tell you.

  He got out and opened Julianne’s door, helping her out before answering, “Wait and see. Now let’s have some dinner while we wait for it to start.”

  Keenan opened the back door and grabbed the blankets and picnic basket before leading her to the back of the truck. Once there he lowered the tailgate and, after he quickly spread the cloth, he motioned for her to get in, steadying her as she did. He placed the extra covering beside her in case it got cooler. His cock twitched as he imagined cuddling with her under the quilts. Keenan’s mouth went dry as Julianne kicked off her sandals, showing off her cute bare toes. In moments she sat cross-legged. Placing the basket on the gate, he returned to the back door on the driver’s side, retrieving four comfortable pillows, then shut the door. Shortly after that he placed them in the bed of the truck.

  Returning to the open gate, he sat, pushed the basket closer to her, then crawled over to join Julianne—she had already arranged the pillows. Sitting next to her, he spread out his legs and opened the basket. Unpacking some of what he’d brought, Keenan placed it all out quickly, after he pushed the empty basket away from them.

  “Not sure what kind of sandwiches you like, so I got a few types. The condiments are on the side. Also, we have chips. There is juice, water, or soda if you prefer. Have some fruit salad for later. And some apple pie for dessert when you’re ready.”

  “You thought of everything.”

  He shrugged, refusing to blush. He’d been thinking for weeks where he would take her if she called him. He had planned to have more time to prepare the food he would bring. But he didn’t think he’d done too badly on short notice.

  “Well, help yourself. We can get popcorn later when the movie starts.”

  “And Milk Duds.”

  “No doubt. You have to have the Milk Duds. Can’t have popcorn without them.”

  “You like popcorn and Milk Duds, too?” Julianne paused with her sandwich halfway to her mouth.

  “Who doesn’t?” He snorted.

  Julianne nodded and ate her sandwich. They talked as they ate. Keenan laughed as she told him about some antics her siblings had got into that had got them into trouble with their parents. He enjoyed hearing her talk. She used her hands as she did and was animated.

  Julianne laughed as Keenan talked about his family. The fondness he had for them showed in his voice. When he mentioned his sister, it was with exasperation, but love. After they’d finished their sandwiches and drinks, he put stuff back in the basket and took out the fruit salad and apple pie, placing it close so he could reach it. Keenan sat back against the pillow next to hers. He held out a hand. Taking it, Julianne shifted until she was between his spread legs with her back pressed against his chest.

  “You ready for some fruit?”

  His chest vibrated against her back as he spoke.

  Julianne cleared her throat, then said, “Sure.”

  She reached for the container and pulled off the top. Reaching for the fork, she frowned as Keenan took it from her and put it aside. He picked up a piece of fruit with his fingers. Shrugging, Julianne reached for a piece.

  “Uh-uh. Let me feed you.” He squeezed her gently.

  He raised fruit to her mouth. Opening, Julianne suckled in the sweet piece of pineapple. The taste filled her mouth. Licking, she moaned as the slight calluses on his fingers abraded her tongue. She could imagine how they would feel on her skin. Keenan lowered his fingers. Another piece of fruit came to her lips. She opened and bit down on the mango. It was crisp and delicious. Keenan ran his finger over her lip. Julianne groaned softly. Keenan trying to be a gentleman was going to kill her. She wanted to kiss him so badly.

  Why the hell can’t I? Before the thought could finish, she turned fully to face him, kneeling between his legs. She put down the container of fruit salad. Cupping his face, she closed her lips over his. Keenan opened to her. Stroking her tongue into the hot cavern of his mouth, she pressed against his body, kissing him hungrily. His shiver moved against her body. Groaning, Julianne deepened the kiss. The taste of him was intoxicating. His lips were firm, yet soft, against hers.

  Keenan made a rough sound and took over the kiss. He softened it, gently stroking his tongue against hers. Firm hands held her hips, pulling her against his large frame. Slowly, he withdrew, touching every part of the inside her mouth. Blearily, she opened her lids. She didn’t even remember closing her eyes. All her senses seemed muffled. Light green eyes studied her with possessiveness. This time it thrilled her. His fingers stoked along her sides. Suddenly, she became aware that she had straddled his lap. His erection pressed between their clothed bodies. She wanted to strip him bare and have him. She whimpered, putting her forehead against his. They couldn’t. They might be parked a distance away from others, but there were still people around and a chance of being seen.

  She moved to get off him.

  “You’re fine right here.” Keenan held her in place.

  “I…we…can’t. There are people here,” Julianne said in frustration.

  “So? I’m not going to strip you and take you. I want to feel you against me, just like this. Think of this as building anticipation.” His dark murmur seemed to go straight to where she wanted him.

  “Your control must be better than mine,” Julianne moaned.

  “Sometimes. I enjoy extended foreplay. And know that, when I have you, I’m going to want to take my time and explore every inch of your satiny skin. Taste and smell”—he inhaled deeply—“the honeysuckle and peaches scent that clings to you.”

  Julianne shuddered. “Oh…God. You’re driving me crazy. I’m not normally like this,” she cried, frustrated.

  “I know.”

  The surety of his tone surprised her. Julianne looked at him in question.

  “You said you didn’t date. Even if you did, I don’t see you as a woman that would be all over any man on the first date, or jump into bed with them.” He shrugged.

  “Boy, am I proving you wrong there. Acting like a wanton hussy.” Julianne rolled her eyes.

  “No, you’re not. I’m just irresistible.” He smiled wickedly.

  “And humble, too.” Julianne laughed.

  “On occasion. Seriously, though, I don’t know about you, but the first time I saw you there was an instant attraction…but also this feeling of knowing. Like we’ve known each for a long time. Talking with you, teasing, and just being with you is so easy. I can’t explain.” He sounded befuddled.

  Julianne was amazed. He’d said what she couldn’t seem to articulate. It was the same thing she’d felt when she had talked with him in her office, then again when they had been skating. They had fallen into an easy camaraderie of flirting and playful comfortableness with each other. It was strange and baffling. She couldn’t seem to figure him out.

  “Glad to know I’m not the only one who’s feeling this,” Julianne said tentatively.

  “You’re not.”

  “Do you usually…um…express your feelings this easily?”

  Keenan had been very open about what he wanted, not playing close to the vest as most men she’d observed.

  “Yeah. I don’t like to beat around the bush. Don’t have time or the stomach for it.” He shrugged again.

  It was refreshing, but also scary. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to discuss everything so openly.

  You need to be careful, girl. This could get serious too quick. You’re not ready for that.

  She picked up a piece of fruit and ran it over his lips. “Bite.”

 
“It’s okay, Julianne. I don’t expect you to share what you’re feeling with me. At least not yet. Just when you’re comfortable…when you’re ready. Okay?”

  Keenan’s expression was unnerving, a mix of understanding and infinite patience. Julianne lowered the strawberry and bit her bottom lip. He gently touched it with his finger, releasing it from her teeth. He traced her lips.

  Julianne kissed it and replied softly. “Okay.”

  “Now give me the strawberry.” He opened his mouth.

  She fed it to him. Keenan caught her fingers gently with his teeth, nibbling on the pads. He licked along her fingers. Whimpering, Julianne wondered how he could get her from feeling skittish to turned on so fast. He was like lightning—quick, fast, and always leaving her unsettled. She fed him a piece of mango. He sucked it in partially and cupped her cheeks, pulling her close. She opened to him. She ate the mango, and he the other end. Their lips met, and he kissed her hungrily.

  Julianne rocked her hips against his erection. She wanted them both naked. His cock would press against her slit. Sliding against the outer lips, her body would be eager for him to enter. She was damp and her wetness would make that glide so easy and sensual. Her pussy clenched as she imagined him moving his hips urgently as she rocked to meet him. Julianne moved against him. Frustration bubbled inside her as she only felt cloth—not the skin she was longing for. She moaned into his mouth. Keenan growled, a hungry sound, as his hands clenched around her hips and cupped her ass, pulling her close to him. Julianne spread her legs wider, moving against his hard member confined in his jeans. Keenan ground against her. Julianne slid her hand down his chest and to the waistband of his jeans.

  “Keenan! John said you came in. I bro… Whoops. Sorry,”—a female voice interrupted them.

  Julianne yanked away from him. She went to move but Keenan held her in place.

  “Ash. It’s fine.” He cleared his throat.

  “I bet. I can’t believe Brigid didn’t tell me you were finally dating again,” Ash replied.

  Julianne glanced to the side of the truck. Amused dark brown eyes met hers. The woman’s smile widened. Her caramel-coloured face was pretty—broad forehead, full nose, cheeks and rounded chin. From what she could tell, she wore no makeup. The woman’s dark brown hair with golden highlights was in a ribbed-looking clip that held it back from her face. Her hair fell in a ponytail.

  “Oh… I brought you some treats.” Ash turned away.

  The kinky curls of her hair swished with her. She moved out of view, but was back in moments. She held out a huge bucket of popcorn and Keenan took it.

  “Great, thanks. Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “As if I would.” Ash held up the jumbo box of Milk Duds. “I didn’t know you had someone with you. I’ll get you another. Be right back.”

  The woman disappeared. Julianne heard a sound. She glanced through the windshield and saw the woman was pushing a cart out of view. Julianne glanced back at Keenan. He kissed the tip of her nose and headed for her lips as her thoughts scattered. She leaned against him and revelled in the kiss.

  “This is becoming a habit,” the same voice said.

  Keenan withdrew, groaning. “Your timing always did suck.”

  “I know. It’s a gift.” Ash laughed melodiously.

  Julianne didn’t look at the woman. Once was bad enough, but twice? Keenan had made her forget the woman had said she was coming back.

  “I think your woman is embarrassed. There’s no need to be, Miss—?” Ash trailed off cheerfully.

  “Really subtle about wanting to know her name, Ash,” Keenan said.

  “I’m not the one who is so slow with the introductions,” Ash countered.

  “Brat.”

  “Asswipe,” Ash said gleefully.

  “Popcorn hustler.”

  “Fire breather.”

  Julianne listened, bemused, as they sniped at each other. It was playful. Like how she acted with her siblings and close friends. She shifted so she could see Ash. Pressing her back against Keenan’s chest, she watched her. They continued to exchange barbs. Ash glanced at her and winked. Julianne laughed.

  “So you stopped hiding. I’m Ashley Seaver, by the way. If we wait for him to get around to introducing us, we’ll be in our dotage.” She put out her hand.

  “I would have if you were patient.” Keenan sounded long suffering.

  “Please. Patience is overrated.” Ash snorted.

  Julianne shook her hand. “Julianne Locke.”

  “Of Moments?”

  “Yes.”

  “I went to a wedding there once. Great place you have there,” Ashley said.

  “Thanks. Are you the owner of this place?” Julianne asked.

  Ashley had the same last name as the drive-in.

  “Yep. My sister Kiaya and I run Seaver Drive-in and Bowling.”

  “Where is Kiaya?” Keenan asked.

  “She’s handling the bowling alley tonight.”

  Julianne glanced towards the building that took up part of the huge corner lot. For the drive-in, a customer would enter on Buchanan Avenue, whereas the entrance for the bowling alley was on Walter Avenue. There was a ticket booth at the back door that gave someone access to and from the bowling alley to the drive-in.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Julianne. See you, Keenan.”

  “Wait. Guess who I saw recently?” Keenan sounded very happy.

  Julianne glanced at him. A wide smile was on his face.

  “Uh-oh. I don’t like that look. Julianne, whenever he has that look, run. He’s about to do something that amuses him, but probably not you,” Ashley said.

  Julianne glanced at Ashley. She was moving away.

  “Harmon,” Keenan said smugly.

  Ashley stopped and turned back to them. “Harmon?”

  “Yep. He has one of the businesses in the same area as Moments. I can’t believe you didn’t know that. You’re slipping, Ash.” Keenan laughed.

  Ashley frowned. “See what I mean, Julianne? Mean bastard. First and last time I’ll ever go out of my way to bring you any treats.”

  “I mentioned that you and Kiaya had taken over the family business. He might come by.”

  “Fuck you, Keenan,” she snapped.

  Ashley stomped off, muttering. Keenan laughed even more.

  “Why is she so pissed?” Julianne asked, looking at him.

  She stifled a chuckle as Ash aimed a particularly loud and inventive curse at Keenan.

  “She and Harmon have a volatile history. Besides, her cursing me about it will keep her off the phone to my sister.”

  “Okay,” she said, confused.

  “Ash and my sister are best friends. Both together are trouble. Usually for me, the kind big brother.” Keenan smiled innocently.

  “I’m oldest, too, so I know what you mean. Younger siblings are a pain.”

  “Yeah. They try to get us in trouble,” Keenan said.

  “But we get our own revenge.” She smiled wickedly.

  “Yep. There was this time…”

  They swapped stories about outsmarting their younger siblings, then about other topics and themselves. The ease in which they could share was still unnerving to Julianne, but she went with it. When the sound started for the movie, she resettled against his chest.

  “Ohh…Ladyhawke. I love this movie,” she said.

  “Me too.” He murmured against her temple.

  She watched the story of the lovers who could not touch because of a curse to keep them apart. Keenan stroked along her side. Julianne tried to focus on the movie. He made a soft sound that made her shift against his chest.

  “How am I supposed to focus on the movie with you touching me?” Julianne cried.

  “Control, Julianne. Anticipation heightens the experience.” Keenan chuckled.

  “You’re going to kill me with this anticipation. Hope it’s worth it.” Julianne blew out a breath.

  “It will be,” he whispered against the side
of her face.

  Moaning, Julianne watched the movie as he stoked the anticipation.

  When we get to my place, he is so mine.

  Chapter Four

  Julianne stabbed a piece of asparagus with her fork. She ate it and chewed. Glancing up, she studied the aggravating man. Keenan was eating his lunch silently. She focused back on her own lunch of roasted chicken with asparagus. It was filling her, yet the one hunger she wanted to be quenched was going unfed.

  They had been going out for almost four weeks. After the movie and all the anticipation they had built up, she had been primed to take it to the end. Keenan had walked her to her door, then kissed her and left. It had stunned her, but she had figured he wanted to be a gentleman. They hadn’t seen each other for a few days, since she and Rissa—just the two of them with no other family members or friends—had taken a trip to the Locke family summer house to fish and just relax. On her return she and Keenan had gone on their next date, to the museum and he had driven her daft with his random touches and handholding. When he’d taken her home, he had kissed her senseless then left. It had been the same after each of their dates, whether it was horseback riding, taking in a concert at the park, watching a play, or rollerblading. They had spent so much time together and had such fun.

  Not the fun I want to be having. Julianne stabbed another piece of asparagus. She wanted him. But he wasn’t giving any indication he wanted her. She’d already thrown herself at him with the kiss at the drive-in movie. No way was she going to jump him. Well…not until he at least made the first move.

  In the weeks she had come to know Keenan, she’d realised that affable smile was a ruse. The smile disarmed you into believing he would be agreeable to anything and would go along with the flow. The truth was, Keenan only went along if it was something he wanted to do. When he didn’t, he found a way to either not do a thing or convince you to go along with his way of thinking.

  Julianne frowned. This week he had started bringing her lunch. It had begun innocently enough when he’d called on Monday to say he was free for lunch and to ask if she was. She had been. Keenan had said he would buy it and bring it to her, and that they could eat at Moments. He’d asked her what she wanted from Braxton’s, a restaurant that was in-between their jobs. They had found out they both regularly ate from there when they were working. She’d given him her order. It wasn’t until she had that she’d realised what she’d agreed to. Yes, they were dating, but so far she hadn’t really formally introduced him to anyone. Keenan had asked questions about Moments and even mentioned coming by sometime for a tour. She hadn’t said anything either way. A moment of panic over what to call him had filled her.