by M. D. Massey
As soon as he made it up the ladder, he grabbed me, pushed me down on the floor, and kissed me with intense passion.
Breathless, I pushed him away. “Henry, we can’t. Not here.”
“Why not? Here is as good a place as any.”
“We shouldn’t. Everyone is up, and we could get company. I’m sure someone saw us come out here.”
He grumbled and rolled onto his back, adjusting his arousal. I felt that stirring deep within when I saw him do so. He propped up on his elbows, smirking at me. His eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
I sighed. “Henry…?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Why must you do this to me? You have this power over me.”
He grinned. “I know,” he rumbled. “Now get over here so I can fuck your brains out.”
“Well, look who thinks he put on his bossy pants this morning.” I crawled up, straddling him, leaning down to kiss him. He groaned as he ran his icy-cold hands up my shirt. I broke into a violent shiver.
“Sorry, love.” He dropped his gaze.
“I don’t mind it.” I softly smiled. “It’s exhilarating.”
He returned my smile and ran his fingers down my sides. I shivered again, pulling my shirt over my head. It was so cold outside, and with Henry having such a low body temperature, my nerves sparked. I shook my head a little and my hair lay over my exposed breasts. Henry sharply inhaled.
“Love…you are so goddamn stunning. I could stare at you all motherfucking day.” I pulled his shirt off him and ran my hands over his stellar body. His breath caught in his throat. “Your warm hands feel so good against my skin.” I ran my fingers around his waist, teasing him every time I got near the button of his jeans.
He finally reached down and unbuttoned them himself, a good portion of his arousal springing free. He smiled as he watched me gawk at him.
“See anything you like?” he murmured, pulling me down on top of him.
“I see a lot of things that I like.”
“Maybe you should kiss all of the places that you like.” He had a devious smile on his face.
“It could take a while.”
“I have a little time to spare.” He put his hands behind his head and settled in.
I started at his ears and worked my way over his lips and down his neck, making sure to press my chest firmly against his. He groaned as I kissed his chest and ran my tongue over his abdomen.
Henry’s breath hitched when my chest brushed up against his arousal. He moaned my name in between the pants coming through his parted lips. I looked up at him, seeing his eyes closed, waiting for me to take him in. He licked his lips, and I licked mine. I ran the backs of my nails over his wide shaft. He twitched and let out another moan. The anticipation was killing him.
Finally, I gave him what he wanted. I wrapped my mouth around him, raking my teeth up and down. His body relaxed but only a few minutes into it, he propped himself up on his elbows.
“Holy Christ, Elaina… Stop.” His breath was ragged. “If you don’t stop…” Smiling, I crawled up and kissed him. He grabbed me and flipped me over. “My turn.”
He ran his cool lips all over my skin. His gentle kisses made my nerves stand on end. From my neck to my chest, he left me squirming with every kiss. He focused on my breasts for a little while, knowing he was driving me crazy. He ran his tongue over my abdomen, much like I did his. I reached down and unbuttoned my jeans, and he pulled them down, watching me run my own hands across my body.
“God, love. You’re so fucking amazing.” He kissed my hips and thighs, then traced his tongue around my tiny swollen bud. I gasped as he assaulted my body. He groaned, knowing I was close. He dipped his fingers in, teasing me. He would get me right to the edge, then stop.
“Henry…”
“Tell me what you want.” I could barely speak. My breath hitched every time he brushed his tongue against me. “Come on, love. Tell me.”
“You. All of you.” He flipped me over so I was on my hands and knees. With precise movements, he placed one hand around my abdomen and sat back on his heels, bringing me with him. Then he grabbed my hips and pulled me down onto him.
“Oh fuck, you feel so good.” His voice was gritty as he suckled on my earlobe. He was in deep, slowly lifting and lowering my hips, making me climb closer and closer to the edge with every stroke. He wrapped his arm around my waist, assaulting my front while he rocked me up and down.
I was seconds from exploding and feared he wouldn’t let me release. He knew exactly where I was. He firmly gripped my sides and began slamming himself into me. I lost it. I yelled out, spilling myself onto him. He groaned in approval and continued to hold me firm, keeping myself wrapped around him entirely, moaning each time I pulsed. He pulled out and spun me around.
“Finish me.” I looked up as I kneeled before him. He was breathless as he pleaded for me to treat him. “Please.” He stood and leaned against the wall of the barn. I did as he asked and, seconds later, he let go. He grabbed my head, forcing me to stop moving, as he held his breath and bit his lower lip. Then the sounds that came from him were gritty and deep. His whole body trembled as he rocked into my mouth a few more times, milking himself dry.
I sat back as Henry dropped his head against the wall, trying to catch his breath. I stood and leaned against him, stroking his face. I brushed my lips across his. He opened his eyes and gazed into mine.
“Love…that was absolutely, fucking brilliant.”
“Anything for my Henry.” He smirked.
“We should probably get dressed before someone realizes we’re MIA.” Just as we were putting on our shoes, we heard Nick calling our names from outside the barn doors.
“Lainy! Henry!”
Henry laughed a little. How was that for timing?
“Be right there!” I yelled down. Nick walked into the barn just as I descended the ladder, Henry following.
“What were you doing up there?” I blushed and looked away. “Oh god.” He glared at Henry, who had a satisfied smirk on his face. “What’s with you two? God. Exhibitionists or something? Anyone could have gone up there and seen… I don’t even want to know what!” Henry laughed. “You seem to forget that’s my baby sister.” Nick was a little miffed, pointing a finger at Henry.
“You seem to forget we’re getting married, and I practically lived at her flat. It wasn’t me who took her innocence.” Henry glared at Nick.
“Like you and Claire aren’t on each other all of the time.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. How dare he judge us!
“Actually, right now, we aren’t. She has been too tired and nauseous. My shit’s all up in a knot. And why am I discussing this with you?”
So sad for him, I thought, rolling my eyes. “You started it. And yes, you can stop at any time,” I said, annoyed.
“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know Justin is going with us. He and Rosa had it out pretty good. She ended up walking away from him and slamming her door in his face. It was a little awkward to witness. Kind of like when you two fight in front of everyone.”
I rolled my eyes. Wait… Were Henry and I that bad?
“All right. Let me get supplies packed. We’ll head out in a few.”
Henry took my hand and we walked back to the house. He guided me to the couch and had me sit. He knew I would have a meltdown if I watched him pack.
Justin approached Henry. “Did Nick tell you I’m going with you?”
Henry looked up at him. “Yes. Have you fired a gun before?”
“Yeah. I used to go hunting with my dad.”
“Oh yeah? Were you any good?”
“I think so. I used to use a thirty-thirty pump. Got a few good-sized bucks.”
“Brilliant! You handled the recoil well?”
“Yeah.”
Henry fist bumped Justin. “All right then.” Henry grabbed another rifle out of his cache. He handed Justin a portion of the supplies he wanted to take, telling him to start loading the truck. He was
more than willing to help.
Justin seemed like the typical seventeen-year-old boy. Not quite a man yet, but he was ready to prove he wasn’t a boy, either. I understood why Rosa was angry. She didn’t want to lose him. I knew that feeling all too well.
Once everything was loaded, including the elusive pack, Henry spoke to Addie as she busied herself around the house. “I’ll take care of him and bring him back,” he said in a gentle tone.
“I know you will. Take care of yourself, as well.” Henry smiled and turned away to face everyone else.
“You boys ready?”
“Justin, don’t lead them toward any of the big box stores,” Addie instructed. “It’ll be a mess there. Head out to the area where Vicker’s General is.”
“Gotcha, Mrs. Mac.”
Addie rubbed his shoulders. “Go say goodbye to Rosa. She’ll be upset if you don’t.” Justin nodded and walked down the hall toward Rosa’s bedroom.
Henry hugged Julianna and kissed her on the forehead. Then he looked over at me. I was sitting on the couch like a lost puppy, and they hadn’t even left yet. Henry kneeled in front of me.
“Don’t say it,” I whispered. I couldn’t look at him.
“I’m not, and I won’t.” He grabbed my face, forcing me to look at him. He kissed each of my cheeks and ran his thumb across my lips. “I love you so much. I want you to remember that.” I could hear the fear in his words as he worked to speak through his emotions. He was afraid he wouldn’t come back to me, but it was the first time he ever showed it.
“I love you, too.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he held me for a minute or two. “Tell me you’ll come back,” I said quietly into his ear.
“Have faith that I will.” He kissed me again and stood. As he walked to the door, Nick and Claire broke their embrace. She sobbed as he knelt and kissed her stomach. It was such a sweet and loving gesture to witness.
“Everyone ready?” Justin said as he walked out of Rosa’s bedroom. She stood in the doorway of her room, watching everyone. Henry gave her a slight wave, then turned around to open the door. He took one last quick peek at me and left.
I got up and watched them through the window. Henry saw me as he hopped into his truck. I put my hand up to the window, and he held his up, as well. He started the truck then backed out of the driveway and drove off.
“Ms. Elaina! Ms. Elaina!” Julianna pulled on my shirt. I looked down at her, tears running down my face. “What’s wrong?”
I kneeled and whispered, “I miss Mr. Henry already.”
“Me, too. I like him a lot.”
I smiled. “Me, too, Julianna.” I hugged her. “Me, too.”
Chapter 39
The truck barreled down the country road until they got to the same intersection that the school was on. Justin sat shotgun, navigating. “Take a left. That’ll take us to the smaller stores.”
“Let’s check the parking lot at the school for cars with gas first. I wanted to do that when we rescued you guys, but that didn’t work out so well.”
Henry pulled across the road and into the parking lot. He started with the row of cars closest to the road. They were in luck. Most of them were untouched, so he figured they’d have a ready supply of gas.
After topping off the tank and scavenging for anything useful, they headed out. Justin seemed rather giddy to go on this little adventure. His smile spread across his face, his eyes glimmering. Henry glanced over at him, seeing his excitement. He chuckled.
“What?” Justin asked. Henry laughed again.
“It’s funny to see how excited you are to go scavenging.”
“I was cooped up for quite some time with three girls, one of whom was my ex.”
“That must have been awkward,” Nick said from the back.
“Not really. We were still friends after we broke up. I still love her.” He looked down at his hands.
“Ah, yes, puppy love. Been there myself, mate.” Henry smiled as he thought of how his heart fluttered the first time he saw Sophie. Then he took a deep breath, reliving her true death once again. He cleared his throat and yelled back to Thomas. “How about you, Thomas? Been in love recently?”
“Shut up,” he mumbled. Henry laughed.
They continued to drive until they came up to a town with a couple small storefronts. “I feel like we’ve turned back time a little here,” Henry murmured.
He was amused by the vintage feel the town had. He slowed down when an undead staggered across the road in front of them. When Henry decided he would just park right in the road, he saw a small undead herd staggering around on each side. He pulled his hunting knife from his vest.
“Everyone ready? We’ll start on the left and move to the right.” Justin took a deep breath. “You all right, mate? Regretting your decision?”
“No. Just a little nervous.”
“Follow my lead and you’ll do fine. You were brilliant at the school.” Henry patted Justin on the shoulder, then jumped out and slammed the truck door.
Immediately, the undeads sniffed the air and turned toward them. Henry whistled, and they staggered forward. He tilted his neck from side to side, making it crack. Then he smiled and shifted into program mode.
“I’ve got this,” he said in a monotone voice.
Henry made a run for the undeads. Justin started to go, as well, but Nick grabbed him. “What?”
“Just watch and learn from the master.” Justin watched as Henry approached the first undead male, who swatted at him.
“Is that all you got?” Henry yelled. The undead swatted at him again, and Henry dodged him. Then the undead lunged, Henry coming back with a knife to the skull. There was a sickening crunch and the undead hit the ground.
“He’s fucking batty, isn’t he?” Justin was stunned. Nick and Thomas laughed.
“Just keep watching.”
Henry ran to the next one. Her clothes were torn and she dragged her mangled leg. He drove his knife into the female’s head. He yanked it out, then took off after two that were staggering together.
They had to have been in that state for quite some time because both were missing chunks of flesh. They were a putrid gray, the smell of death heavy around them. Henry jammed the knife into one while delivering a roundhouse kick to the other. The body split in two, mid-chest.
“Oh shit!” Nick yelled. The sound of rotting flesh and organs hitting the ground made Justin retch. Henry dropped to his knees and jammed his knife into the head of the undead man. “Eleven o’clock, Henry!”
Henry got up and jumped over the gory piles of the true deads. He threw the knife, landing it in the side of the undead man’s head. Henry stood there for a moment and surveyed the corpses on the ground, making sure they were all true dead. He walked over to the one he just finished off and, with a shudder, yanked the knife out of the man’s head. He slipped back into reality.
“Shut the fuck up,” Justin muttered. “How did he do that?”
Nick laughed. “He’s a badass. What can I say? Hey, Daniels!” Nick shouted. Henry looked at him. “You got those…” Nick nodded toward the other side of the road, “or do you want us to get them?”
“Go for it.”
Nick didn’t hesitate, Thomas and Justin following behind.
Henry picked the lock at the general store, while the others finished off the undeads. He opened the door, the smell of death hitting him hard. He bent over from the sudden onslaught. He felt his stomach lurch, and he started coughing. He let the door shut.
Nick ran over. “You all right?”
Henry wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “It’s bad in there. Really fucking bad. Worse than the school.”
“If you think it’s bad…”
“Yeah. I’m not sure I can go in there.” Henry straightened and looked at the storefront. “But I don’t really have a choice. If there are food and drinks…”
Thomas pulled off the scarf around his neck. “Here.” He handed it to Henry, who tied it around his nose and
mouth. He took a couple deep breaths, jumping up and down to get his adrenaline pumping before he opened the door again. The pungent odor rolled out of the store, taking his breath away.
Henry was in the shop for about five minutes. Nick waited at the door, watching him run up and down the aisles, grabbing whatever he could. Henry stopped at the back of the store, his whole body sagging. He stood there for a moment, shaking his head, then he blew back out through the door, ripping the scarf from his face. He fell to his knees…and vomited.
That was a first for Henry. He had seen a lot, done a lot, but never once had he thrown up. He had felt queasy or gagged a few times, but never vomited over anything but pain or drunkenness. Nick helped Henry up, walking him over to the Tahoe. He opened the door so Henry could sit.
“Thomas, Justin, gather what he brought out and put it in the back.” Then Nick focused his attention on Henry. “You all right? Let me get you a bottle of water.”
Nick reached into his pack and grabbed his only bottle. Henry reluctantly took it and rinsed his mouth out a few times.
“Let’s head back. You don’t look so hot.”
Henry nodded and turned to the steering wheel. He lay back in the seat for a moment before he started the truck. The others secured the supplies in the back, then hopped in. Henry was still lying back in the seat.
“What happened in there?” Justin whispered.
“A fucking gory mess. That’s all I’ll say about it. I need a drink,” he mumbled.
“But what—” Justin began.
“Just leave it!” Henry yelled, startling everyone. He put the truck into gear and headed back toward Addie’s.
It was nearly nightfall by the time Henry pulled the truck into Addie’s driveway. Claire and I ran out of the house as he slammed it into park and turned it off. Nick patted him on the shoulder and hopped out. Henry rested his forehead against the steering wheel.
“Is he all right?” I asked Nick as he rounded the front of the truck.
“I don’t know. He saw something in the store, but refuses to speak about it. When he made it out of the store, he vomited. He never does that.”