by Cat Johnson
We hit the sofa in a tangle of limbs.
His tongue plunged against mine. I knifed my fingers through his hair and held him close as he kissed me.
I remembered his kisses from that night. They were unforgettable. I knew, because I’d tried to forget them. It hadn’t worked.
They were also addictive. One wasn’t enough. And like all drugs, I wanted more. More of him. All of him.
I tugged at the tail of belt, working blind.
Still joined at the mouth, he pulled his pelvis far enough away from me he could get his hands between us to undo his belt.
Once that obstacle was gone, I had no problem unfastening his fly and sliding my hand into his underwear.
The searing heat of his skin against my fingers was only eclipsed by the hardness of his length.
He cursed against my mouth as I pulled him out and stroked him. Thick. Hard. Smooth like silk, yet hard like granite.
Brandon was more successful at getting my jeans opened than I’d been with his. He opened the fly and slipped his fingers beneath the waistband of my underwear. He slid lower, and then lower, until he hit a spot that had me jumping.
His hands proved to be as talented as his mouth. My grasp on his length faltered as my hips rose to press closer against his hand.
I broke the kiss to be able to breathe as he worked me closer to my peak.
When my orgasm hit, I gave up trying to multi-task and dropped hold of him completely.
He didn’t seem to mind as he pushed me harder until I was gasping and clutching at the sofa cushion to anchor myself.
Finally, as the spasms slowed, I forced my eyes open and found him watching me. His mouth slightly open, his eyelids heavy, his breathing rapid.
On one shaky arm, he hovered above me, waiting.
I was done waiting to do what I wanted. I bit my lip but finally said, “Any chance you have any condoms with you?”
His eyes widened before he let out a burst of a breathy laugh. “If that gas station at the end of your block is still open, I’ll get some.”
I glanced at the clock. “They close at nine on Sundays.”
“I’ll be right back.” He vaulted off me and the sofa, standing to adjust the bulge there was no hiding and refastening his pants.
He spared barely a glance at me before flinging open the front door and slamming it behind him.
Scared, excited, nervous as heck, I jumped up. I had only moments to get out of my ugly granny panties.
How in the world was I going to get myself ready for my first encounter with a hot guy in too many years to count in such a short time?
Scrambling to the bedroom, I didn’t know how I’d do it. All I knew was that I was going to try.
TWENTY-TWO
Brandon
My purchase clutched in my hand, I barreled into Bethany’s house barely five minutes after I’d left her.
In the short time I’d been gone, she’d changed out of her jeans and hooded sweatshirt and into yoga pants and a T-shirt—much more revealing and so much easier to take off, which was of course my main goal.
Her eyes widened. “It’s raining again?”
Barely conscious of the raindrops dripping from my hair until she mentioned it, I swiped the water out of my eyes. “Yeah.”
“The river,” she breathed, looking panicked.
I was a little panicked myself as I saw my opportunity fading away.
Crossing the room, I tossed the condom box on the table and reached out for her, pulling her close to me.
“I know you’re worried and I swear to you we’ll check on the bakery, but can it wait just an hour?” I begged. “Hell, even half an hour.” I’d wanted this woman for so long, I had no delusions I’d be able to hold out for a lengthy session once I finally had her.
Her lips twitched as she drew in a deep breath. “Okay.”
My gaze dropped to the tempting swell of her breasts beneath the white cotton T-shirt. I noticed the writing on it.
“Honey Buns—We’ll Leave You Sticky.” I read the slogan aloud and groaned. “Mmm, I certainly hope so.”
She squealed as I lifted her up. “What are you doing? I’m too heavy for you.”
She wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, clinging to me for dear life.
“Hush. You are not too heavy. Now, where’s the bedroom?”
She tipped her head toward the door behind her.
“Back there.” As I took a single step she said, “Wait. Condoms.”
I breathed out a curse.
With my hands happily supporting her ass as she still clung to me, I bent my knees so she could reach the table. “Can you grab them?”
“Got ’em.”
“Good.” This thing had been playing out between us for over a month. I was more than ready to be in her bed.
I carried her toward the door.
It was ajar. One push with my toe and her bedroom was revealed to me. I was sure I’d appreciate the antique-looking iron headboard more. Later. Now all I wanted was a bed beneath me.
Actually, no, all I wanted was Bethany beneath me and a mattress beneath her to cushion what might turn into a hell of a pounding if my racing heart was any indication.
I dropped her onto the bed, positioning my knee between her thighs as I moved in to take possession of her mouth.
Her kiss tasted like mint. She’d brushed her teeth while I’d been at the gas station. I was glad I’d done the same after my nap at Agnes’s house.
She pawed at the hem of my shirt. “Take this off.”
“Gladly.” I kneeled above her and unfastened just enough of the buttons to pull it off over my head.
I tossed it to the carpet and reached for her shirt. “Nice slogan, by the way,” I said as I pulled it over her head.
“Harper’s brainstorm,” she said breathlessly as she reached for me.
“I like it.” I reached for the button on my jeans, damp from the rain, peeling them off and tossing them to the floor as well.
After the past day and night, I was tired of being wet—although I certainly hoped Bethany was—wet, that is.
With that naughty thought, I hooked my fingertips beneath the waist of her pants and tugged.
I said a silent thank you to the person who invented the elastic that allowed me such effortless access to her body as she was bared before me in nothing but a white lace bra and panties. I ran a fingertip over one lace-covered hip.
“Nice.” My gaze traveled up her body and landed on her face, flushed as she looked embarrassed.
“It’s from Red’s shop. She made me buy them.”
“I’m starting to really like your friends.” I grinned before reaching for the underwear in question.
Then things took a serious turn as I tugged them down her legs.
She was wet, all right. I took great satisfaction in that as I ran a fingertip up her slit.
Long time coming, this was. And I found I couldn’t wait any longer.
With the necessary protection taken care of as quickly as I could manage, I slid up her body and nudged her legs apart.
She watched me, her gaze narrowed as she breathed through parted lips.
Her eyes were on mine as I slid inside, just a bit at first, and then all the way home with one firm thrust that had the air whooshing out of my lungs.
It took my breath away and sent sparks of pleasure up my spine. Hers too, by the looks of her. We were definitely on this wild ride together.
All I knew was, she’d better hang on. It was going to get a whole lot wilder before this was over.
TWENTY-THREE
Bethany
“Oh, my God. You two had sex.” Red’s blue eyes grew wide the next day as she looked from me to Brandon and back to me again.
“Wh-what?” I sputtered, shocked.
I spun to Brandon.
He stood motionless, the industrial-sized stapler poised in his hand where he’d been about to fasten a piece of carpet to serve
as a door flap for Muddy’s doghouse turned cat house.
His brows lifted at Red’s accusation but he didn’t say a word to deny it. I guess it was up to me to defend my reputation, but Red didn’t give me a chance.
She planted a fist on her hip and shook her head. “Don’t try to deny it. It’s obvious.”
Behind Red, Cashel chuckled and walked over to hold the carpet remnant for Brandon. “Welcome to my world, dude.”
Brandon shot me a glance then said to Cash, “Yeah, thanks.”
“Harper called it. She predicted he was at your house all night since he wasn’t at Agnes’s,” Red continued.
“You don’t know. He could have gone back to the city,” I said, on the defensive.
“But he didn’t.” She grinned.
“Doesn’t mean anything happened,” I grumbled.
“But it did.” Red continued to look too satisfied.
I was rapidly losing the post-sex high I’d been riding since waking up to Brandon rolling on top of me this morning and I blamed Red for ruining it.
“Okay, Binoculars Brimley.” I cocked my brows high as I lobbed that insult at her.
Red narrowed her eyes at me. “Mean.”
I knew that would get her. No one wanted to be compared to the town gossip, even before Harper came up with that new nickname for her. It had already been a common phrase among our group to preface any intrusive observation with the words, not to be like Mary, but . . .
“At least you’re no longer like Alice,” Red shot back.
My eyes widened as she compared me to Alice Mudd, the town spinster, unmarried but she never failed to know everything about everyone else’s romantic relationships.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. “Now who’s being mean?”
She laughed. “You know I love you.”
“Love you too,” I said, even as I pouted. Then I remembered what I’d forgotten to tell her. “Oh, I finally started reading Rose’s letters.”
Actually Brandon had read them to me, until we’d gotten distracted . . . with having sex . . . I wasn’t about to open up that can of worms so I left that part out.
“Oh my God.” Her eyes popped wide. “And?”
“They’re heartbreaking. Red, she was in love with a boy who joined the Army during World War I.”
“Oh no.” She cringed. “What happened to him?”
I could see Red had the same fear I had. “I don’t know. I didn’t finish reading them all yet.”
She stuck out her lower lip. “Poor Rose.”
“I know.” And now I was good and depressed, until the sound of the Brandon and Cash talking and laughing drew my attention.
One look at Brandon lifted my spirits. A smile I couldn’t control stretched across my lips.
“That good, huh?” Red asked.
This time, I couldn’t deny it.
I drew in a breath and let it out on a sigh. “Yup.”
Brandon glanced up, caught me watching him and winked, shooting me a devastating smile that I felt to my core.
I felt my cheeks heat. Maybe one day I’d get used to this kind of attention. But not today.
Today, it was still all too new. Too amazing. Embarrassed or not, I never wanted this feeling to end.
TWENTY-FOUR
Brandon
“How’d the diner weather the storm?” Cash asked me. “You going to be able to open as scheduled?”
“I think so. At least I hope so. Russ is inside with a crew from the school right now. They’d gotten it all cleaned up before I even got here this morning. They’re planning on working on finalizing the menu so they can get all the orders placed with the local suppliers.”
Cash lifted his nose and sniffed, like a dog when the scent of food was in the air. “Smells like they’ve got the fryer going.”
I smiled. “Hungry?”
“Fuck yeah. I’ll be happy when this place is open. Unlike your girlfriend, mine doesn’t cook.”
My girlfriend. This was the first time I’d heard Bethany referred to as that.
It was most likely premature, but I found I rather liked it. Quite a bit. And I also found now that he’d mentioned the fryer, my mouth was watering for french fries.
With Cash’s help, Muddy’s house now had a door to keep the wind and cold out. I’d even bought him proper cat food and a flea collar.
And we’d determined Muddy was indeed a he. Or, Bethany had.
Apparently, male cats had balls, which is how she could tell he was a boy. Who knew? Not me, that’s for sure.
But I was now well schooled in all things cat testicles. And I knew more than I’d ever wanted to know about feline sexual reproduction and the importance of spaying and neutering.
Not that I minded the lecture she’d given me. I’d listen to Bethany talk about anything, gladly. She was adorable when she got excited about something, whether that be cooking or cats’ balls.
But Muddy might mind. Little did he know what was in store for him. She’d called the local shelter to make him an appointment for his snipping. Only then was I allowed to get to work on setting up the doghouse I’d grabbed at, as Bethany had suggested, Red’s shop.
The unknowing Muddy stuck around to supervise the installation of his new house. Or maybe he just hung around for the new food bowl I’d bought at the local hardware store. I couldn’t be certain.
But now, my pet duties were complete.
I laid the stapler inside my new toolbox—yes, I had a new toolbox and the hardware store had a nice chunk of my money from all I’d bought. Since I now owned a diner, I figured having the means to do minor repairs would only save me money in the long run, so the toolbox was less of an impulse purchase and more of a necessity.
I admired my work, then looked back at Cash. “Want to see if we can go inside and find some food?”
He’d been right. The aroma coming out of the vents out back was enough to drive a man insane.
“Fuck yeah, I do.”
Grinning at his enthusiasm, I said, “Okay, come on in.”
I was about to go tell Bethany and Red to come inside for lunch, which would make us the diner’s first customers since I’d taken ownership, when my cell buzzed in my pocket.
One glance told me it was Josh. “I have to take this. You go on in with the girls. Tell Russ we want to eat. I’ll be inside in a sec.”
“All righty.” Cash nodded while I took a few steps toward the parking lot and answered the call.
“Hey, Josh. You got my message about taking today off, right?” I asked.
“Uh, yeah. I got it when I got here this morning. And I would have called, except that I was a little busy getting ready for the nine o’clock meeting you scheduled with our biggest client. The meeting you were supposed to be running.”
I frowned. “No, that meeting isn’t until the twentieth.”
“Today is the twentieth.”
I squinted at the date on my Apple Watch and cursed. “Fuck. Josh, man, I am so sorry—”
“It’s fine. I handled it. And Mina was right on top of things. She had all the audio visuals and paper handouts ready. You need to give that girl a raise.”
Didn’t I know it. But Mina and Josh covering for me didn’t make me feel any better about completely dropping the ball on the meeting.
My only excuse was that Mudville was like another world. It was easy to forget about reality.
Or maybe it was just Bethany. Being with her made me lose all track of time.
She made me forget everything outside of her and this town, including what day it was. Obviously. Something else was becoming obvious as well. Something I didn’t like.
Being here, being with her, while maintaining my usual level of productivity at work was going to be impossible.
I didn’t like that word—impossible—at any time. I really didn’t like it in relation to her. To us.
“I’ll be in the office when you get there in the morning,” I promised Josh as the guilt rode me.
“You don’t have to—”
“I’ll be there,” I interrupted him as he was no doubt going to tell me he’d handle everything. “See you in the morning,” I said and disconnected the call.
Maybe he could handle everything at the company without me. Maybe he couldn’t. That wasn’t the point. What was, was that I was starting to realize my inability to properly balance life and work swung both ways. I was either all-in at work, or all-in with life.
I didn’t want to abandon trying to have a life, but I also couldn’t abandon work since I’d need my company to pay for that life.
Sure I had plenty of money now, but that was only because of this company and all my hard work.
Better men than me had figured out how to have it all. Zuckerberg. Gates. Bezos—though there was that divorce of his.
I just had to believe that I could do it.
Find a balance. Make it work.
I turned to find Bethany petting Muddy as he sniffed at his new house. Or maybe just at the food bowl I’d attached to the side of it.
“Hey,” I said, wandering closer to them.
“Hey.” She smiled. “You have one very happy kitty.”
“Yeah, looks like.” I eyed the cat, a little jealous of his simple feline life as mine was getting increasingly complicated.
Although given Muddy’s impending neutering, maybe I wasn’t so jealous of him after all.
I drew in a breath, determined to not let tomorrow’s imminent return to reality rob me of today’s joy.
“Ready for lunch?” I asked her. “Cash and Red are already inside.”
“Yup.” She gave Muddy one last pet then turned to me. “You think there’ll be french fries?”
The look of happy hopefulness on her face chased away some of the dark shadows that had descended upon me.
I smiled. “I can pretty much guarantee it.”
I’d get my girl what she wanted even if I had to man the fryer myself. That part was easy. It was the rest of my life I had to figure out.
TWENTY-FIVE