Mr. Buff: A Flaming Romance

by Milly Taiden

  Andrew helped her up and they moved toward the kitchen. “No, I didn’t get very far when Jack got out of his car with a gun pointed at me.”

  Stepping outside, Alex was shocked at the number of vehicles parked in the lot. There was only a few when she and Nina arrived. Now half the lot was filled. What the hell? That gave her a bad feeling.

  She called out her cousin’s name and got no response. Alex hurried to her car and peeked inside. No one was inside. “Nina!” she hollered again into the wind. From the woods a few yards from them, Nina walked out slowly.

  Alex smiled. “There you are. What were...” she trailed off when seeing another person behind her cousin. It was past twilight, but not too dark where she couldn’t recognize who was holding a rifle at Nina’s back.

  23

  Mr. Sholes, the president of the company where she and Nina worked, held a gun, shoving it into Nina’s side.

  Of all the people Alex suspected, Shores would’ve ranked just before Nina as a perp. Maybe she was delusional, brain damage from the bomb. Would this night ever end?

  Alex was tired of being polite. “What the fuck is going on, Sholes? How did you get here?” Alex saw the expression on Nina’s face. Oh, right. Nina told him, but not Robert.

  Alex dropped her head in her hand. Couldn’t win for losing.

  “Sorry, Alex. You were a fantastic employee. Too good. You shouldn’t have been snooping in back records.”

  “I wasn’t snooping—” she defended herself.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Sholes said. “I’d been getting half a million dollars, tax free, for years.”

  “How did you keep accounting from finding it?” she asked.

  “With crafty handwork and coding, I changed things post-closing so no one would see out of place numbers. That is until you had to dig. Now I have to find a way to keep Robert from figuring it out. Talk about pain in my ass.”

  Several things came together in her mind. “So, you sent the pipe bomb this morning?”

  “The what this morning?” Andrew blurted.

  Alex waved away his words. “Later.” She pointed to the rifle in her boss’s hands. “And you were the one shooting at me at the cabin.”

  “Shooting at you? What?” Andrew said louder. Alex shushed him. Sholes nodded.

  “I used to be a good shot. Guess I need a bit more practice. Either way, I never miss this close.” He raised the gun to Nina’s head.

  “What a minute, Sholes,” Alex said, hands lifted, palms forward. “Let’s not get in a rush here. You realize there are dozens of park rangers scouring these woods for you, right? Another shot will bring them all here.”

  “She’s right,” Nina said. “I saw them all at the ranger station just down the road.”

  “I know,” he gruffed. “I saw them when I followed you from the other cabin.”

  Nina spun around. “You followed me?”

  “I figured you would get to the cabin soon enough. I did give you the rest of the day off,” Shores explained. “When you left the first cabin after loading your car, I tagged behind.”

  Nina slumped and turned back to Alex and Andrew. “I’m sorry, guys. I should’ve never stopped there.”

  “No, that’s all right,” Alex said. “Who would’ve known he was stalking the place? I thought the shooter would be long gone.”

  Sholes raised the rifle again. From the woods behind them, a low growling sound rolled out. “What is that?” Alex said.

  “I think it’s a bear,” Andrew whispered.

  “Could this day get any worse?” Alex said. As they watched, a black bear, the size of the one that was on the front porch—maybe it was the one on the porch, dashed out from the trees. In a full out run, the animal’s razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the moonlight, saliva dripping from its lips.

  “Dammit, bear,” Sholes yelled and aimed his gun at the charging bull of a creature, “I already shot you once. Fucking die already.”

  That was the gunshot they heard that started this whole evening off with a bang. Ha! Great, she was going into hysterical shock again.

  The rifle fired, making everyone jump and duck. The bear mis-stepped but recovered quickly. Before Sholes could get another round ready, the bear was on him.

  Andrew grabbed Nina and Alex and ran while the bear ripped apart her ex-boss. Live by the gun, die by the gun. You didn’t shoot innocent animals. He got what he deserved.

  The three leaned against Andrew’s SUV, heaving for breaths and trying to keep it together while a man died. Alex wanted to curl up and have it all go away. She was on the brink of a total breakdown. This day had been too much.

  Andrew pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Everybody okay?” he asked. Both ladies nodded, eyes still staring toward the direction of the bear, though they were too far to see the gore. “We need to find a ranger and report all this. You ready to go, or do you want to stay here while I find someone?”

  “Go,” they both said. In a dark part of the lot, a car door slammed shut.

  “Now what?” Alex said. The figure moving toward them was shrouded in a black mask or hat hiding the face.

  “Don’t move, Alex. I’ll kill you,” the mystery person said.

  Andrew laid his hands on Alex’s shoulders and stared into her eyes. “How many people want you dead, woman?”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “It’s not my fault.”

  He tucked her behind him. “Yeah, we’ll figure that out later.” He scooted Nina behind him as well. To the one approaching, he said, “Look, we can talk this out and make it work. What do you want?”

  “You.” The figure stopped a few feet from them, gun reflecting the light of the moon. The voice sounded familiar, even though the speaker was trying to disguise it.

  “Wait a—Jen,” Andrew said, “is that you?”

  Nina stuck her head around the side of Andrew. “Jen? What the hell are you doing?”

  Cover being busted, Jen lowered the material hiding her face. “There is no way to talk this out. Andrew is mine. Has always been mine.”

  “Jen,” Andrew said, “what do you mean?”

  “Andrew, all the things you say to me, like how you don’t want my dreams to take me away from you. And how important I am to you. You love me, Andrew. And I love you.

  “You were always a gentleman because I was married. I got divorced so we could be together, Andrew. I’ve been waiting for you to propose to me, but damn Leslie and now this bitch is in our way.”

  Alex couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t imagine Andrew leading her on, married or not. The woman was infatuated by the idea of a knight in shining armor and that was to be Andrew.

  She’d seen this movie, too—triangle with past and present lovers. Didn’t look good for her right now, if this followed along with the movie.

  Andrew stepped away from her and Nina. “Jen, you love me?”

  “Yes, Andrew, forever,” she said, voice squeaky.

  “I love you, too. Always have,” he replied.

  “What?” Alex said and reached for him. He slapped her hands away.

  “You’re right, Jen,” he continued.

  She said, “I am?”

  “Yes, I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. But you were married. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—be the reason your marriage failed. I’m not a homewrecker.”

  Alex was shocked into silence. This was news to her. Nina looked just as surprised. Alex thought Andrew loved her since the first moment he saw her. She had a boyfriend, so he left her alone. Oh, she saw the pattern forming, figured out what he was doing.

  Jen said, “What about you fucking her at the club?” The gun aimed at Alex and she moved closer. Andrew shifted sideways with it. If he got shot and died because of her, she’d...she’d...go with him.

  “Her and Leslie were just pussy until you were ready for me, my love. I was waiting, trying to read signals from you. As a guy, I suck at that. Clearly. You’re ready now.”

  Jen nodde
d. “Yes, I am. But if you love me, why are you here with her?” Jen jabbed the gun toward Alex.

  Andrew took on a cocky stance. “Jen, love. Every man’s dream is to have two women to fuck at one time. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass. I mean, since I didn’t know you wanted to be with me. But now I do know.”

  Alex and Nina looked at each other. Hell would freeze over before she shared Andrew with anyone. Not happening. He was hers...well, not according to his words.

  He held a hand out to Jen. “You ready to go home? I’ll drive you to my house where you can stay with me forever.”

  She glanced back at her vehicle. “What about my car?” she asked.

  He took her free hand, then pulled her close, cupping her face with his hands. “Baby, I’ll buy you a car lot if you want.” He leaned in and kissed her.

  All three women were caught off guard. Alex wanted to smack the shit out of both him and his secretary. Did he really have to go and kiss the woman? When the gun in her hand fell to the ground, Nina dove forward and scooped it up. Good thing somebody was paying attention to what was really going on. She sure as hell wasn’t.

  Andrew pulled away from the kiss. “I’m so sorry, Jen. Thinking back on the things I said, I can see how I might have given you the idea that I...that I wanted more than a working relationship. You are a great person, Jen, and I wanted you to know that.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” Jen looked at her hand, probably realizing she didn’t hold the gun anymore. She stepped back. “You were lying, weren’t you, just now? You don’t love me.” Jen moved farther away.

  “I’m sorry, Jen,” Andrew pleaded. Jen remained quiet, taking one step at a time toward her car. She looked the scared rabbit in a den of wolves.

  “You know,” she said, “my husband is a nice person.”

  “I’m sure he is if you love him,” Andrew said.

  “I do love him,” Jen replied. “Always have.”

  Hmm. Alex noted the crazy coming out. Love could do that.

  “I apologize, Andrew, but I have to quit working for you,” she hollered, being much farther away. “I have to devote my time to my husband now.”

  “I understand, Jen,” Andrew cajoled. “He loves you very much. Take care of him.”

  “I will.” She raised a hand to wave bye, then got into her car and drove away.

  The group stood quietly, watching the car leave the parking lot. The night was loud with crickets and bullfrogs at the various creeks flowing through the forest. Alex looked around for the next person. She was still alive, which she didn’t expect after all this.

  Andrew turned to her. “Okay,” he said, rubbing his hands together, “anybody else want to kill you, besides me?” He scooped her into his arms and twirled her around. “You’ve got a lot you’ve been holding out on me.” He kissed her hard.

  Nina snorted. “I’m going inside for the bottle of wine,” she said. “Y’all got fifteen minutes before I call the emergency ranger station. Make it a quickie.”

  24

  Held tight in his arms, she was giddy with happiness. He kissed her with so much intensity it left her breathless. He consumed her lips, possessing every crevice of her mouth. As if stamping his own brand over her, he licked and nipped at her lips and jaw.

  They moved toward the front of the SUV, and he pulled off her top. Parting only long enough to allow the removal of the material, he continued devouring her lips. Her breasts filled his hands. He immediately set his fingers on squeezing and tweaking the taut tips.

  She moaned and tugged on the T-shirt he wore, ready to tear it if it didn’t come off soon. He pulled off the shirt. He shoved her pj bottoms and panties down her legs.

  She latched her lips on to his nipple, her tongue flicking across the flat disk. He groaned.

  Happy to drive him wild, she dipped her hand into his jeans and rubbed on the length of his hard cock.

  “Jesus, woman.” His groan was enough to push her on.

  She nipped at his tight little bud, smiling when his cock jerked in her hand.

  “Fuck. That’s good.”

  He spread her pussy lips, two digits going straight for her hungry pussy, and his thumb flicked her sensitive clit.

  “Andrew, yes, fuck me.”

  She rolled her hips on his fingers and moaned, tightening her muscles around them. All she needed was for him to fuck her with his fingers a few times and she’d go over.

  He pulled out of her so fast, she almost screamed in frustration.

  She looked up at him.

  He lifted his fingers to his mouth, curled his tongue around the digits, and sucked on her juices. “You’re mine.”

  Grabbing her hands, he turned her to face the hood of the truck. He felt the metal for heat then pushed her to lean forward. Her nipples grazed the warm steel. She looked over her shoulder at him. She wiggled her hips and smiled when his eyes filled with passion.

  “Alexandra.” Dark and possessive once again, his voice made her knees weak.

  “Hmm?” A whimper escaped her. She continued to watch his hooded gaze.

  “You have been a very bad girl.” Oh, good God, yes. Yes, yes, yes.

  Her head whipped up and down in agreement. Arousal grew as she waited to see what he’d do next.

  Slowly, he caressed her ass cheeks, his hands squeezing at her rounded globes. He tapped her left side with his palm. The light sting was minor, just enough to make her moan.

  “Instead of leaving, you should’ve stayed and talked to me.”

  Slap. The pressure from each tap fanned the flames inside her and ratcheted up her need. She moaned and thrust her ass out for further punishment.

  “For hours, I was worried about you, was unable to reach you.” The deep timber of his voice fascinated her; his words held her enthralled.

  Slap. His hands alternated sides, caressing the heated skin of her ass after each tap. Biting her lip, she groaned and lowered her head to the hood of the truck. The blunt head of his cock speared her sex and entered her cunt. She moaned and propelled back against him, seating him fully inside her in one quick slide.

  Slap. Pussy squeezing, her vaginal muscles contracted around his thick length with each tap on her cheeks.

  “You decided to believe the worst of me after I had already told you I didn’t want anyone else.”

  “I’m sorry.” Truly, she was, especially when she heard the hurt in his voice.

  He groaned and thrust his cock into her pussy violently. She’d have ended up draped over the vehicle if he hadn’t hauled her back. She marveled over his loss of control when his thrusts became harsh, fast, and demanding. His hands gripped her hips, and he plunged into her in quick, hard thrusts.

  The skin slapping joined in the music created by her pants and his groans. He caged her with his body. Between her thighs, his hand moved to thrum her clit. He pinched her nub, turning her moans into full-blown begging for more. Fucking her with the force of an animal, he rammed his cock harder into her.

  Tense and shaking, her walls gripped his cock while she screamed his name and came hard. She shoved her ass onto his still driving cock.

  Her hair and hip in a tight grip, he groaned out a curse and then he jerked behind her. The tension in his frame heightened while he quickened his thrusts and filled her with his seed. Warm semen coated the neck of her womb. Aftershocks racked her body and sucked him deeper.

  Moving her hair to the side, he kissed the back of her neck. He fixed his pants, picked her up her clothes and then her, and carried them into the cabin. She sighed with pleasure and nuzzled his neck. There was no questioning it; she was his.

  When the cabin door closed behind them, Nina hollered out from another room, “Lucky for you the cell phone signal is non-existent in this place or you would’ve been giving a show to the first responders.”

  Alex hollered, “You said fifteen minutes.”

  “That was five minutes ago,” her cousin replied.

  Alex smiled up at
Andrew. He shrugged. “I tried.” He carried her to the bathroom. “You get cleaned up and dressed and I’ll go out to find a signal to call the police. It’s going to be a long night.”

  Alex sighed. She agreed, but the idea of having her boss’s dead body a hundred feet from the cabin was enough to keep her awake all night.

  On the way to his black SUV, Andrew glanced at the front license plate: AROB 1. With Alexandra in his life to stay, he’d have to change it to A&A ROB or AAROB. He wasn’t good coming up with cutesy things. He had no doubt his new love could take care of that.

  Pulling out of the small parking lot, he turned the direction Jen had when she left. He was somewhat lost, having never been to the area before, but if he stayed on one road then he’d figure out his way back.

  Andrew had been so consumed with thought of Alexandra on his way to the national park, he’d not paid much attention to the narrowing roads and steep inclines. Now that night had settled, he realized how dark the area was with no streetlights or moon shining through the trees choking the roadway.

  Fishing his phone from the center console, he pushed the side button to bring up the screen. The signal strength across the top looked more like a thin line than a bar. “No Signal” sat where the blue usually covered.

  He flipped his headlights to bright and stepped on the gas to get out of the tree-filled zone. The longer this took, the longer he was away from Alexandra.

  The bar grew to the right, meaning a signal was found, but before he could stop, it disappeared. He backed the SUV, careful not to slip into the ditch. After several yards of nothing, he shifted back into drive heading in the direction of the small town he remembered passing through with the Piggly Wiggly store.

  Taking a sharp curve too fast, he fumbled the phone in his hand trying to get control of the steering wheel. Stepping on the brakes, he slowed the vehicle, staying on the road, then leaned over to fish for the phone on the floor.

  Dammit. The problem with having a lot of room in an SUV was that there was a lot of room. His phone could be anywhere from under the seat to the pedals.