by Alexa Riley
“I see that pretty little mind of yours working,” he says, and it is. “I’ve been watching you, Tia, and I know you.”
“I just—” I begin to say, but he cuts me off by kissing me. I close my eyes and for a moment I get lost in him. In us.
“I know, darling girl,” he says softly, kissing my forehead. “Go back to the kitchen and I’ll be there in a minute,” he tells me. “You need to let this settle inside you for a bit.” He slides his hand down my neck and places it over my heart. “Besides, I’ve gotta handle something.”
He helps me down and I stand there, not really wanting to go anywhere. But maybe I could use a second alone to collect my thoughts.
“Now,” he tells me and smacks my ass.
It’s both playful and stern at the same time and I let out a small squeal of surprise before I do as I’m told. My nipples tighten at not only the sting in my bottom but the tone in his voice. I like to think of this as the Van Effect. It’s a mixture of no messing around and playful at the same time and only he can pull it off.
I make my way back toward the staff kitchen and wonder what Van has to handle. I’m guessing he’s going after Jack, and though I should probably stop him, I don’t think Van is someone who’s stopped once he gets his mind set on something. He didn’t move when I put my hands on him and I wonder if I have the same effect on him as he does on me.
I’m not surprised when I see Piper sitting at the table. Her head is down as she talks to her small baby bump and she looks worried. I can’t hear what she’s saying but I don’t care for the sad look in her eyes. She’s normally all smiles but this is different.
“Hey.” Her head snaps up at my voice and she pulls on her shirt to hide the bump.
One day I’m going to get her to tell me all about this but it’s not as if I have much room to talk. I haven't told her much about myself either, but there’s not much to say. Growing up in a carnival was weirdly normal. Well, it’s what I thought of as normal. It’s where I learned to cook so it wasn’t like the time was a total waste. Sometimes when Piper is in the kitchen with me I tell her stories that I know will make her laugh.
I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. At first I did it for my parents in our small RV and then later for the carnival. Everyone has to earn their keep so I used my skill the best I could. That was until we landed in the town next to Camp Hardwood and I decided to stay.
When Honey offered me a job cooking, I snatched it up. Not only would I have somewhere to stay but a paycheck to make ends meet. I never got paid when I worked for the carnival since my parents always took it.
Here I thought I could settle in and that’s something I’ve never done in my whole life. We were always moving around so it’s nice to be in one place. I’d hate to have to leave because I messed things up here between Honey and me. I’d never go back to the carnival life because I didn't fit in there. I was always the odd one out and I don’t know why. It was a freaking carnival but I never felt as though I belonged with anyone there.
“Hey.” Piper sits up a little straighter and smiles. “Whatcha gonna cook?”
“Whatever you want.”
I’ve always been good at cooking and it does the trick to make people smile, myself included. I have this inner need to make people happy and I’m sure someone would say it has something to do with my upbringing. But if wanting to make people happy is a terrible habit then I’ve fallen into the wrong hands.
Piper licks her lips. “Pasta.”
She says it like it’s the best idea she’s ever had. When I tell her I’ll make meatballs I look up to see her eyes widen. I think it’s because of the food, but then I see her staring down at my wrists. They’ve gotten a little worse since I left the stables and now they’re red and marked all around them. My breath catches but the sight is erotic. My sex clenches thinking about everything Van did to me and how I got them.
“What happened?”
I’m broken from my dirty thoughts when Piper touches one of the marks. I jerk my hand back because it feels wrong to let her touch them. They belong to Van.
“Sorry. Does it hurt?” Her voice and eyes are filled with concern.
“No,” I tell her and take a step back.
I see my backpack hanging on its hook and I walk over to fish out a long-sleeved shirt. It’s one Honey gave me and I keep it in there for when it gets cool at night.
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” Piper asks, raising one eyebrow.
I shake my head no and her shoulders drop.
“Tell me you’re fine and I’ll leave it alone.”
“I’m fine,” I say with a small laugh.
My body is more than fine. It’s not just the marks that have me out of sorts, it’s knowing who put them there. I want to see Van again and find out what other kinds of pleasure he can give me.
“Okay then.” She holds her hands up. “I’ll help you cook.” She grabs an apron and I shake my head.
“You’re terrible at cooking,” I remind her.
“I’ll clean,” she offers, scrunching her nose.
“Deal,” I agree. I know Piper isn't going to push for more information because I’ve given her the same space I’m silently asking for now. It’s not that I don’t want to tell her. I’m just not sure this is a part of me I want to share with anyone besides Van.
Chapter 6
Van
After I get the horses calmed down I go over to the saddle bench and run my hands across it. I think about her perfect round ass rocking on top of it and how wet her sweet pussy was against my fingers. I unbuckle my saddle and then place it in the back so that no one else uses it. Everyone who has access to the stables knows this one is mine, but just in case, I want to make sure it’s untouched.
Once everything is done, I calmly walk out of the stable and make my way to the lake. I know exactly where I’ll find Jack and I have no doubt he’s already running his mouth. I gave myself time to get my emotions under control and to think about my actions, but in the end, nobody will ever make Tia feel like she’s less than, or that what she felt was wrong.
Lashing out isn’t like me. For the most part I’m cool headed and laid back, but when it comes to Tia all bets are off. My heart is so full and happy when I’m next to her. I feel playful and fun when we’re spending time together, but when we’re alone something changes. Maybe it’s something inside of me that was there all along and she woke it up.
I can still feel the abrasion against my fingers from the threading of the rope. What must Tia be thinking when she looks at the marks I left behind? God, I wanted so badly to slip inside her as she rode the saddle and my fingers, but I held myself back. I’m prepared to wait until I can take my time and today is an example of why I have to be more careful with her. Jack is a nosy little fucker, but the reality is that anyone could have come in and witnessed us in the throes. I’ve got to do a better job of concealing my instant gratification and wait until I can make time to enjoy her like a meal.
The thought of tasting her river of pleasure while I have her bound to my bed makes it almost painful to take my next step. I have to stop and take a breath as I place one hand on a tree. I’m hit with the need for it. I want Tia so badly it literally makes me weak at the knees.
When I’ve got myself under control, I finish the long walk to the lake, opting to go on foot instead of taking the Gator. I need to burn off some energy before I confront him and if I went in like a speed demon it would end badly. Although it still could, at least I’ll have worked up a good sweat in this summer heat.
“Jack,” I bark loudly so he can hear me from where he’s standing next to the water.
Just as I suspected, he’s standing next to two counselors, Sadie and Vanessa, who have a look of horror on their faces as they turn to look at me. I knew he wouldn’t run to tell my parents, because even though he acts like a dramatic child, he’d much rather spread the gossip than face my dad.
I square my shoulders as I
stomp over to where he’s at and refuse to let the judgment in their eyes touch me. I can only assume Jack told them the worst of it and embellished just enough to make me look like a monster.
He smirks at me as I come closer and crosses his arms over his chest. “So did you cut your little filly loose or—”
Before I can think I ball my fist up and pop him right in the mouth to shut him up. Well, I guess my walk didn’t do much to cool my anger after all.
He cries out and covers his mouth as his busted lip begins to pour blood. His curses are muffled, his face turns an angry red and the people around him take a few steps back.
“So let me go ahead and explain to everyone here how this is going to go,” I say loudly since people from the lake have turned to see what the commotion is about. “If anyone hears Jack mention Tia’s name or something to do with her again, I’ll give the person who tells me a week paid vacation.”
The counselors look to one another and I can see the light of excitement in their eyes.
“Don’t worry, there are no strings attached. Just tell me he said it and I’ll not only give you a week off but you can watch me kick his ass too.”
A few people begin to laugh and it enrages Jack. When I take a step closer to him the coward backs away.
I look at Sadie and Vanessa and open my palms out at my sides. “I have nothing to hide and I can promise you whatever he said is complete bullshit.” I look around the growing crowd until I spot some of the women counselors huddled nearby. “Just like how he told everyone he messed around with April and Jocylyn.” Their eyes widen as they turn their glare on Jack. “And that he hooked up with Sadie and Kris.”
“Are you serious?” Sadie asks as she steps forward.
“I believe his exact words were ‘she’s got a great mouth.’”
“You little worm, I never touched you!”
When the women all turn their eyes and their wrath onto Jack I take a step back and smile. Nothing I could do to him would be half as awful as what these ladies can do. And to be honest, he deserves it. I should have stopped it the second I heard it but I thought maybe there was some small truth to his conquests. Now I see by the women circling him that it was all just bullshit.
He stammers over his injury as the voices around him grow louder and I walk away. I feel as though I’ve set off a bomb but Jack will get what he deserves. I’ll also make a point to talk to my parents about his removal just as soon as I check on Tia and make sure she’s okay.
I’ve got plans for us that involve a lot of alone time in my cabin and I’m ready to get started on them now.
Chapter 7
Tia
My eyes widen when I listen to Sadie tell me how Van punched Jack in the face. She’s so animated, her hands flying everywhere as she acts part of it out. She’s standing on the other side of the counter giving me the scoop and I kind of wish I was there to see it. Jack had a punch to the face coming but I just hope Van doesn't get in trouble over it. Jack is the type that would go crying to the cops or Van’s mom or dad.
“He told everyone about Jack running his mouth too. That little shit took off running to hide from all the girls.” Sadie rolls her eyes so hard it looks painful. “Jack is hot but he is such a douche cannon. He doesn’t even have to open his mouth and you know that.”
He reeks of pompous jerk and I think being cute went straight to his head. The girls around Camp Hardwood aren’t buying what he’s been trying to sell so I guess everything he said was all talk. I’m not usually the one to be told all the gossip but this is big news. I’m a little surprised Sadie is standing here telling me this, but it’s probably because it has to do with me. The girls in camp are sweet to me because I make treats for everyone, but now that I think about it, Piper is the only one I really talk to beyond normal superficial stuff. I overhear them gossip but it’s never to me, and I don’t know if that should hurt my feelings or not.
“You should’ve heard what he said he saw you and Van doing.” That’s all it takes and my face lights up with a flash. “I mean, even if it’s true, who wouldn’t do those things with Van?” Sadie wiggles her eyebrows. “Guess I just never thought of him as a dominant, but now that I think about it…” She taps her finger against her lips.
“Please don’t think about it.”
I don’t say that because I’m embarrassed about what Van and I did but because I don’t want anyone thinking of my Van in any way that’s sexual. He’s mine and only I get that part of him. It’s special and reserved for only me. It’s why no one has noticed it before, even though that part of him has been lurking below the surface his whole life. It’s a part of who he is and the same thing I crave. I might have let my mind do too much wandering today and I’ve been coming up with lots of ideas about the two of us. It’s why we’re meant to be.
“I mean, I’ve read it in books. My mom thinks she has them hidden in the garage in an old box.” Sadie smirks. “Finding that box was the jackpot to understanding my lady business.” I snort as she leans closer. “So you and Van. That’s real?” She gives me a wink. “I mean, he’s been telling people that you’re a thing, but I didn’t pay it much attention. I thought maybe you were, like, saving it for marriage or something so I’ve been trying to be respectful about what I say around you.” Her eyes search my face and I can tell she’s trying to be nice.
“I’m not a nun,” I laugh.
No wonder the girls never tell me anything, but before today I was close to being a nun. Not in my mind but in my body. No one ever touched me until Van got his hands on me. He touches me everywhere and it’s only a glimpse of what’s to come. I can still feel it humming along my skin and I’ve been waiting for him to turn up again today. I want him to pull me off somewhere and have his way with me again.
“So you’re saying part of what Jack said might be true?”
“Take your cookies, Sadie.” I push the Tupperware tub toward her and she snags it off the counter.
“I’m just teasing you. Have fun,” she says before darting off and leaving me in the kitchen alone.
My mind goes back to Van and if he might be in trouble for punching Jack. What do his parents think of all this and what Jack might have told them?
It doesn't seem right for Van to have to fess up to what we did. We didn’t do anything wrong. We were both willing and of age. But his mom and dad might have something to say about it; I never really had to deal with caring what my parents thought. But Van cares about them and so do I. I want them to like me.
I shut down the kitchen and debate what to do as I walk toward my cabin. I want to see Van so badly my body aches for it.
I notice the main office door is closed and I wonder if Van is in there talking with his parents. I keep walking and almost make it back to my cabin when I decide I’m going to go back and see. I don’t want him to have to talk to them alone. But before I can turn a hand comes down over my mouth. I don’t scream as the scent of Van surrounds me and I smile against his palm.
“I need another taste, darling,” he says into my ear before pulling me off into the woods. He keeps his hand over my mouth and whispers close to my ear. “Are you going to scream?” he asks, and I shake my head. I can feel his erection against me and I know that this is the beginning of a game we’re about to play.
“What if I want you to scream?” His hand drops from my mouth and he kisses the soft skin of my neck. “Scream my name while I make you cum?”
My whole body lights up with desire as he presses his hard, muscled body to mine.
“I’ll do anything you ask me to,” I admit, bending to his command. Only a simple touch and I’m wet with need. Every desire I’ve ever had for him comes rushing forward and my body aches for him to give it release.
“You’ve been fighting this,” he reminds me and I start to drop my head, feeling ashamed. “I’m sorry, darling.”
I turn in his arms and his finger goes under my chin to make me look up at him.
“I didn't me
an it like that. I’d be a liar if I didn't admit it hurts when you pull away from me, but I’ve been letting things settle for you. I know this is a lot to take in and I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“I’m just scared,” I admit. “But not of you.”
“I know.” He leans downs, brushing his mouth to mine. “It’s my job to show you that you don’t have to be scared.”
“I trust you.” As I say the words I realize just how true they are. He keeps showing me exactly why he’s so perfect for me and that this is meant to be.
“Good. Because I’m taking you home.”
He grabs my hand and we walk to his cabin. He has no idea what the word home does to me.
Chapter 8
Van
“Did you used to be a boy scout?” Tia asks as we walk into my cabin.
A smile tugs at my lips as I lock the door behind her, pulling her inside. “Why do you ask?”
My thumb absentmindedly rubs across the mark on her wrist and it doesn’t go unnoticed by her.
“No reason.” The spark in her eyes has my cock growing proud and strong in my boxer briefs. God, what she can do to me with just one look.
I pull her flush against me as I lean down and kiss her gently at first. It’s soft and sweet but there’s something stronger simmering below the surface.
“I’ve never done this before,” I confess as I graze my knuckles along her jaw and then down her neck. “I don’t know if this is right or wrong, but I know it feels so damn good.”
“You’ve never tied a woman up before?” Her big dark eyes look up at me through her lashes and I see a vulnerability there.
“No.” I kiss her again as my fingers move to unbutton her flannel shirt. “I’ve never been with a woman before either.”