by Alison Bliss
My mouth fell open, and I straightened, turning toward him with wide eyes. “Um, Mom, can I call you back?”
There was a slight pause on her end, and then my mom asked, “Did he say again?”
“Gotta go,” I said, hanging up on her.
Seth lowered his head and rubbed at his temples. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
“Uh, yeah. That was my mom.”
He nodded. “I kind of figured that out already.”
“Yeah. So, uh, as you were…saying.”
Seth’s heated eyes roamed over my face. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Bobbie.”
“Okay.”
He edged closer to me and backed me up against the counter, his hand skating up my leg and in between my damp thighs. “I want to make my intentions very clear,” he said, his thick fingers finding my center and probing lightly.
My breathing deepened. “Clear is good.”
His heated breath brushed my lips. “We aren’t done here,” he whispered, punctuating the word as his fingers slipped into me.
I moaned and bit my lip. “Not done. Got it.”
His lips curved. “Do you want me?”
“Yes.” God, yes. I closed my eyes, reveling in the sensations spiraling through me.
With his free hand, he unzipped his pants and took out his cock. “Good. Because I want you, too. You’re not out of my system yet. I need more.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Can I take you right now?” He said that as if at any moment, he would toss me over his shoulder and haul me to the nearest bedroom.
“Take me where?” I said, my mind not grasping whatever the hell he was saying.
He chuckled quietly under his breath and removed his fingers from me. Like that would make me hear him better? “I want to take you right here on the kitchen counter. Possibly on the table, too. Are you okay with that?”
I opened my eyes, frustrated that he wasn’t touching me anymore. “As long as you’re damn good at whatever you’re about to do to me.”
Challenge flashed in his golden eyes. “We both know I will be.”
I gazed up at him, my chest heaving. “We just need to get it out of our systems one last time, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“No more after this, though.”
He nodded in agreement. “If you say so. Would you like me to take off your clothes now?”
“No time. I need this to be fast and hard.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
…
The next day, I sat out on the front porch in my rocking chair so I would be right there the moment Jeremy dropped Austin off at home. I kept looking at my watch because if he was so much as a minute late, I’d be reporting it to the court first thing in the morning.
Five minutes and counting…
After the stunt Jeremy had pulled yesterday at Austin’s party, I loathed him even more than I ever thought was possible. Who in their right mind doesn’t let a five-year-old tell his mother goodbye? Only a heartless bastard would be so cruel.
I hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night. Not because I was having sex with Seth again, either. I mean, yeah, we did it twice yesterday. Once during the party and then again after he announced it to my mother. But after that, I went straight to my room and stayed there all evening, trying to figure out what the hell I’d gotten myself into.
Three minutes to go…
I ended up chalking the whole thing up to a weak moment—okay, two weak moments—and not trying to figure it out anymore. Besides, Seth and I both agreed that it was done and over with, and it wouldn’t happen again. Though I was pretty sure that one of us was being serious and the other wasn’t. If only I could figure out which one I was in that scenario.
Sex with Seth was amazing. No wonder he was so damn cocky when I first met him. The man definitely had the goods to back up his mouth.
I glanced at my watch. One minute. Damn it, Jeremy. Where’s my child?
I didn’t want to start counting down the seconds, too, so instead I held my breath. I figured I could go without oxygen for at least one minute without passing out or dying. Well, hopefully. And if not, then I seriously needed to work on improving my lung function and capacity.
After a few moments, I began to struggle for air and got a little worried. Either I had bad lungs or Jeremy was about to be late in bringing my son home.
But then I saw it.
Jeremy’s black Ford-350 pulled off the highway and turned onto my driveway. The moment the truck stopped in front of the house, I ran out to greet Austin, who was waving at me from the back seat with a big smile on his face. I didn’t even wait for Jeremy to get out and open the door. I slung it open myself, unbuckled my son, and pulled him into my arms as fast as I could.
Happy tears built behind my eyelids as I inhaled the deepest breath I had taken in the past twenty-four hours. I kissed his face and squeezed him tighter. “I missed you, monster.”
Austin giggled. “Missed you, too.”
Romeo must’ve heard Austin’s voice because he came flying around the side of the house to see his best friend. I set Austin on his feet. “Take Romeo up onto the porch and then you go inside for a minute. I’ll be right there.”
Austin ran up the stairs with his dog right beside him, then he did exactly what I asked him to do. Good boy. I reached inside the back seat of Jeremy’s truck and grabbed Austin’s booster seat and his bag from the floorboard. Then, without a word to Jeremy, I spun around and walked toward my house.
“You don’t have anything to say?” Jeremy called after me. “That’d be a first.”
I knew the idiot wouldn’t be able to just leave without picking a fight. So I got to the top of the porch and then turned back to him. “You want me to say something to you? Fine. Fuck you, asshole.”
The moment he started toward me, Romeo stood up, bared his teeth, and released a low growl. I patted his head. Who knew this stray mutt would end up making such a fine guard dog? I raised a brow at Jeremy, daring him to come up the stairs.
He shook his head. “What? Are you scared of me? You have to hide behind a vicious-ass dog?”
“I’m not scared of you, Jeremy. And I don’t have to hide behind a dog, either,” I said, heading downstairs. “Not when I had Seth install security cameras all around the perimeter of my house last night. Everything you do while you are on my property is being recorded. So if you violate the court order in any way or want to threaten me, go ahead. But understand this. I will take any and all evidence directly to the judge to get your parental rights revoked. You can count on it.”
“You’re just trying to set me up.”
I shook my head. “I don’t have to set you up. You’ll be your own downfall. You always have been.”
Fire flashed in his eyes, but he turned around and headed back to his truck. He peeled out in the dirt as he drove off, leaving ruts in my drive. The moment he pulled out onto the highway, I released a sigh of relief.
Little did he know that I’d only been bluffing about the security cameras all along. But now that I’d come up with the idea, I would definitely be getting them installed as soon as possible.
Chapter Fourteen
When the next Friday rolled around, I once again fought back tears as Jeremy drove away with Austin in the back seat. At least, this time, my child didn’t seem as reserved about going. That was a plus. Unfortunately, I had a feeling that was because Jeremy probably let him watch an endless amount of cartoons last time just to keep him still and quiet. Damn electronic babysitters.
What happened to kids playing outside? Or doing activities that didn’t encourage them to sit in front of a television screen all day? Austin and I enjoyed hanging around outside and doing things like watching the sunset, taking a walk, or even just listening to the sounds of nature. This old farm was perfect for outdoorsy stuff like that, and I hoped future guests at the inn would be interested in doing them, too.
<
br /> Since it was almost dark, I steered myself out toward the barn to close up the chicken coop for the night in order to keep my girls safe. Once I started feeding the hens inside the enclosure, they’d taken right to it. Now the girls automatically went inside to roost in safety as soon as it would get close to dark.
When I exited the chicken enclosure, though, the strangest sensation crept over me and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Like I was being watched or something. But after glancing around and not finding anyone, I chalked it up to my discomfort of having to send Austin home with Jeremy once again. Lord knows that would make any mom uneasy.
On my way back, Seth poked his head out of the barn. “How do you like those new security cameras?”
Guess I now knew who my watcher was. “They’re great. Thanks for installing them for me.”
“You’re welcome. But you’re sure Jeremy didn’t do anything that would’ve prompted you into buying those?”
“Seth, I already told you. They’re just a precaution. Not only for Jeremy, but for when I open this inn to paying customers. I want my guests to feel safe.”
“I understand that, but I’m more concerned about your safety. Especially with that idiot.”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, do you have a minute? I want to show you the loft.”
“You finished it already?”
He nodded. “About a half hour ago. I was going to come get you, but I saw Jeremy’s truck pulling in. Thought it was best if I stayed out here until he left.”
I followed Seth inside and over to the new ladder he built leading up to the loft. “You go up first.”
“Why?”
I glanced down at my blue jean miniskirt. “For obvious reasons.”
He grinned. “Now you know why I wanted you to go first.”
“Seth. We agreed.”
“All right. I’ll go first. But when we come back down, I’m going first again.” He winked at me and started climbing.
I waited until he got a little ways up and then followed behind him. As I reached the top, he grasped my hand, helping me up onto the loft’s deck. My cowgirl boots clomped on the new wooden floor. “Wow. You did great work on this deck.”
He smiled at the compliment and pointed to the back corner. “I went ahead and put your bales of straw that you keep for the chickens up here. That way they’ll stay nice and dry.”
I went over and sat on one of the bales, crossing my legs, as I looked over the loft. “Wow. This is perfect.”
He chuckled. “Careful, darlin’,” he said with a drawl. “Your southern roots are showing.”
“What do you mean?”
“With your blond hair braided to the side like that, the pink flannel shirt, blue jean skirt, and your cowgirl boots, you look like a farmer’s daughter. A very sweet one.”
I laughed. “Oh yeah?” I loosened my side braid and plucked a piece of straw out of the bale next to me, hanging it from my mouth. Then I uncrossed my legs, stretching them out across the bale of straw, as I arched my back and posed in a sexy way with one arm over my head. “How’s this?”
Seth reached down and undid his pants.
My eyes widened slightly, but my heart rate sped up. “Um, Seth. We said we weren’t going to do…that anymore, remember?”
“Yeah, we did. But that was before you wore that little outfit and posed for me like you just did. You definitely got my attention. Not that you didn’t have it before.” He grinned and lowered his gaze. “Why don’t you open those legs and give me a little peek?”
Heat crept up my neck, and I shook my head. “Uh-uh.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
He chuckled. “Well, that’s a great reason.”
I grinned. “Okay, fine. Because it would be a lot more than a little peek. I…I’m not wearing panties.”
He sucked in a breath. “Jesus. Don’t tell me that.”
My smiled widened, and a giggle slipped out. “Well, you asked.”
“So that’s why you didn’t want to go up the ladder before me? Because there’s nothing under your skirt but…unadulterated woman?” His brow rose.
I shrugged and probably turned three shades of red.
His gaze lowered to my knees. “Show me.”
My stomach twisted, and my nerves twitched. “I, uh…can’t.”
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling a little shy all of a sudden?” His eyes met mine and he waited patiently until I nodded. Then he smirked. “Want me to go first?” I didn’t even respond before he took out his hardening dick and gave it a firm tug. “See? Nothing to it. Now open your legs for me, baby. Just a little.”
My heart raced inside my chest, but I managed to move my knees apart about four inches. After all, he did say a little.
His golden eyes liquefied as he stroked himself leisurely. “Come on, Bobbie. Spread your legs for me, sweetheart. I need to see you.”
The innocent farmer’s daughter inside me hesitated, but the wanton pin-up gal urged me to go for it. So I did. I lifted and hiked my skirt up a little before slowly allowing my legs to fall open.
He groaned, and his hand squeezed at the base of his cock. “Touch yourself. Get yourself wet for me.”
I shook my head and laughed. “Sorry, but I’ve been doing that for the past five years. I’m over it. If you want me wet, then you do something about it.”
Though surprise registered in his eyes, Seth grinned from ear to ear. “Five years, huh? That’s a long damn time to go without sex.”
“Tell me about it,” I breathed out, widening my legs a little more.
His heated gaze touched me intimately. “No wonder you’re so fucking tight,” he said seriously. “Practically a born-again virgin.”
Okay, now he was just being ridiculous. But it still made me smile. “With the size of that thing you’re holding, anyone would be tight.”
He stood there, still fisting himself. “I beg to differ.”
Frustration chipped away at me. “Are we going to keep talking about this, or are you going to make a move sometime today?”
Seth moved toward me, his hand slowly pumping up and down on his shaft. Then he knelt down in front of me and spread my legs even wider, licking his lips. “You’ll never have to ask me twice.” Then his head lowered between my thighs as his tongue darted out to taste me.
My body jolted at the feel of his hot mouth on me, and I clasped the back of his head to steady myself. I leaned back against a bale of straw, reveling in the sweep of his mouth over my sensitive flesh, as my fingers tangled in his dark hair. Suctioning his lips over me, he sucked my clit into his mouth and then nibbled on it gently with his teeth. I released a breathy moan, which only had him doing it again. Except this time, his fingers joined the party.
I gasped quietly at first, my breath hitching, but the more he worked my body, the louder I got until I was panting his name. Desire warmed me. Need ricocheted through my veins. He lapped at my clit, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves with his tongue until my body exploded in ecstasy. Even still, his face stayed buried between my thighs until my convulsions subsided and my body went completely numb.
Finally, he lifted his head, his lips glistening. “God, I love the way you taste. So sweet,” he said, climbing up my body to kiss me. His tongue swept into my open mouth before he pulled back to nibble on the edge of my lips. “Do you taste your arousal on my tongue, baby?”
“Mmm-hmm. Now I want to taste yours.”
“You don’t have to.”
My hand pushed against his chest, and he immediately rose to a standing position as I sat up on the bale of straw. I wrapped my fingers around his length. “I didn’t say I had to. I said I wanted to.”
He grunted thickly as I eased my lips over his cock, taking him into my mouth. His fingers twisted into my hair, pulling gently and encouraging me to take more of him. So I did. But there was no way in hell I could take all of him. Not without choking to death. So I took en
ough that allowed me to breathe comfortably while I used my hand to stroke the rest of him.
He pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. The rippling muscles of his abs flexed and tightened as he rocked his hips toward my face. I gently scraped my teeth against the smooth skin of his shaft, and then rolled my tongue around the crown. I gazed up at him as my mouth and hands took turns sliding over his length. Those intense eyes were watching me closely, not willing to miss a single second of this.
So I wrapped my fingers tightly around him and squeezed until a drop of pre-cum formed on the tip of his penis. Then I licked it off with a moan, relishing the flavor of him on my tongue.
Seth must’ve had all he could take because he pulled back. He leaned down to kiss me and carelessly traced his hands down the planes of my body. Then he started to unbutton my flannel top. When it didn’t come undone immediately, he grasped it and ripped it open, sending the buttons flying and pinging off the floor.
I glared at him. “Dear God. Do you not know how buttons work?”
He grinned. “Sorry. Too impatient. I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that. At this rate, you’ll end up owing me a whole new wardrobe.”
His hands fondled my lace-covered breasts. “It’d be worth every penny, trust me.”
But that was just the thing. I didn’t trust him. Not entirely, anyway. His lips found my beaded nipple through the material, and my head fell back on a sigh. Maybe it wasn’t the right time to bring this up, but I needed him to be honest with me. And if I could get him to do so while his guard was lowered, all the better. “Seth,” I breathed out, struggling to concentrate while he was touching me. “Tell me something about your past.”
He froze momentarily. “There’s nothing to tell,” he said, then continued his onslaught of my breasts.
I shook my head back and forth. “Why don’t you want to talk about it? Something obviously still bothers you. Or you wouldn’t be having nightmares.”
Seth gripped my hips, scooting me toward the edge of the bale. He pulled a condom out of his back pocket, quickly put it on, and then settled himself between my legs. His hard cock pressed errantly against me, but he stopped before allowing himself to enter me. “The past is in the past. Nothing good can come from talking about it. Right now, let’s just focus on the present. This, specifically,” he said, entering me so fast and hard that it took my breath away. “I want to give you what you need.”