by Jeny Stone
“She wouldn’t have to tell me. I would know.”
And he had. Home on leave prepared to propose to the woman he loved, he knew the moment she opened the door. After one long look, he had turned and walked away while she tried to explain. She had to marry her new love to give her child a name. If she hadn’t spread her legs for the fucker there wouldn’t be a child. Making the same mistake twice wasn’t in his nature. That was the last woman he would trust or love.
“Is that a guess or are you speaking from experience?” Curious about the subject of love that lacked in her life, she eagerly waited for his answer. His mood darkened giving her an answer before he spoke.
“Experience and it’s not up for discussion.”
Too bad, she would be very interested in hearing about the woman that broke his heart. “At least you’ve been in love. You should be grateful for that.” Grateful wasn’t what showed in his eyes. It was a deep rooted anger.
“Were you ever in love with your ex? It’s a valid question. After all, you agreed to marry him and then broke his heart.”
“No … not in love but I did love him as a friend. That’s where the lines became blurred. I didn’t agree to marry him because he didn’t ask. He announced our engagement in front of all our friends and gave me a ring. You have no idea how bad I hated that ring. Quit looking at me like I’m an idiot or I’m not going to tell you the story.” That horrible ring alone was enough to make her run. But no, she stayed trying to find the love she craved.
He wondered how someone with her self- assurance managed to get stuck in an engagement she didn’t want. He chalked it up to youth. “Okay, but I won’t promise not to laugh. Did you forget the word no?”
“Very funny … We just graduated from college. I had already started my business and planned on moving to the cottage. I don’t know why he did it or why I went along with it. He stood up in the bar at our graduation party and announced we were getting married. I was rushed by all our friends congratulating us and it just kept going after that. Maybe neither one of us was ready to move on with our lives. You know … that big step into the real world. But, I didn’t break his heart, just his ego. He wasn’t in love with me either or he wouldn’t have been screwing all my friends. I guess he didn’t want to lose the comfort of our friendship.”
“Hey, give the guy credit. He would have had a trophy wife and all the strange he wanted. Trust me, he had been screwing around all along. How in the hell did you keep him off of this sexy body? Or was he too tired from all his extracurricular activities?” Garret deliberately rubbed salt in that wound wanting to keep it fresh and permanent.
“I remembered the word no. It would have been like sleeping with my brother. I wasn’t sexually attracted to him at all. It really had me worried there was something wrong with me. He seemed to think so too.”
Her statement surprised and elated him at the same time. She was so damn honest about her feelings which he found refreshing. He assumed they both had agreed to wait until marriage. The fact she rejected Jay gave Garret a deep feeling of satisfaction. She had given him her virginity and he had jump started her sexuality. She was the first woman that belonged to him without the excess baggage of other men.
“Do you still think there’s something wrong with you? I can assure you there’s not. Give me his phone number and I’ll call and reassure him. I’m sure the guy is worried sick about your sex life and would want to know.” Oh, how he would love to have that conversation.
Since their meeting in the bar, everything was right with her. He opened a new chapter in her life by awakening her sexuality. Garret had become the main character in that chapter which worried her even more. Garret was also the author of the book. Hannah knew the ending, they both did. All she could hope for was a long novel and not a short novella.
“You’re being bad. I would give you his number but it’s none of his business what I do.”
“Have you seen him after the break-up and does he know where you moved?”
The prick had lost her by getting caught but he couldn’t be so stupid that he wouldn’t try to get her back. She was worth a damn good try if Jay held onto a sliver of hope to reclaim her. She wouldn’t suspect the danger in confronting him alone with no help within miles.
“I ran into him a couple times. He does know I inherited the cottage but I don’t know if he knows I live here now. He wasn’t ever interested in my work or my plans for the future.” It was apparent Garret was wondering if Jay would come looking for her. She had considered the possibly. It wasn’t a scene she cared to experience.
“What would you do if he comes knocking at your door?”
“Call nine-one-one without hesitation. Changing the subject, well, not really. It’s on the same line of lost loves and overactive libidos. I have to ask … since Pop’s told me he had been married four times. Where are your four grandmothers?”
“My grandmother passed away twenty years ago. Pops’ other three wives are living it up somewhere on their generous settlements. He’s the only Presley to get a divorce. He decided to do it enough for everyone. I’m surprised he hasn’t asked you to marry him.” Garret leaned back in the chair patting his stomach. She was an excellent cook.
Hannah stood to clear the dishes from the table. She teasingly bumped him with her hip. “So you still think I’m after the family fortune. I think I’ll pass on the perfect opportunity to steal your wealth if he does ask me. Having you call out Granny in the heat of passion isn’t something I care to hear.”
Garret pulled her on his lap with her hands full of dirty dishes. Garret helped steady the shaking dishes then placed them on the table. His eyes sparkled with his genuinely amused laughter.
“I hate to disappoint you if you change your mind but I have his power of attorney. I wouldn’t sign off on any nuptials, especially with you.” Staring into her face he threw out a question to catch her off guard. “Are you afraid of your ex?”
“Cautious would be a better term. I’m not stupid enough to take chances with his damaged ego. I’ve known him since we were kids and I can handle the situation.” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Jay had a controlling personality and he didn’t like opposition.
He raised her off his lap picking up the stack of dishes. “I’ll help with the dishes. Thank you for dinner. It was almost as delicious as you.”
“I enjoyed cooking. If you want to relax, I’ll finish in here. It will only take a few minutes.”
“No, I’m helping. The faster we get this done the faster I can get to dessert.”
After the table was cleared he stood behind her at the sink. He kissed her neck while she rinsed the dishes breathing in her sweet scent. Unable to contain his urge to touch her, his hands wondered curiously over her sensual curves. Her tender breast filled his hands starting a fire in his groin. Her chest moved beneath his hands as her breaths deepened. She pressed her hips into him. To hell with the dishes, he wanted dessert. He slid his hands down to the bottom of her tank top. Raising it over her breasts, head and arms, he tossed it aside.
Laughing, Hannah flipped water from her fingers on his face. “You’re not helping.” She teasingly scolded him.
“Yes I am. I’m helping myself.” His hand slid down her taut tummy inside her shorts. He nibbled her ear lobe. “Now, I’m helping you.”
Yes he was. She was dying for his touch all during dinner. She melted into a heaving mess of desire with his hand pressing between her heated thighs. Trapped between him and the sink, Hannah turned off the water. She braced her hands on the edge as he widened her stance with his leg pushing hers out to the side. One arm held her firmly around her waist against him. The wonderful heat of his touch sent her in a whirlwind of passion, she never knew existed. His breath and mouth on her neck, his fingers magically tormenting her sensitive spot then sliding inside her, drove her out of her mind. Her body trembled; her muscles contracted rolling in a wave down her spine.
“God, I love that ro
ll.” He whispered, low and throaty nuzzling her neck.
Hannah moaned feeling the yearning quaking to an explosive level. She teetered on the edge of the glorious release, panting to breathe. He slowed his touch extending her wait for the imminent orgasm.
“Garret … oh … Garret.” She moaned exploding forcefully with spasms of pleasure. Her body shook. Her legs turned to rubber. She knew she would fall to the floor if he turned loose of his hold. She laughed softly leaning her head against his chest. “You can help with the dishes anytime.”
“You liked that, did you?” He swept her into his arms like a child. He had waited as long as humanly possible to have her. He was bedroom bound with his hot wet possession.
She embraced his neck to kiss her appreciation on his lips. “What wasn’t to like?” The ease in which he carried her upstairs was a stimulating show of his strength. She loved all his strong masculine qualities.
“I’m feeling playful tonight and you are officially my favorite toy.”
Anticipation of his words sent tremors of want through her. “Am I going to like being played with?”
“You’re going to love it. I’ll always make sure of that.” He bounced her on the bed then ripped her shorts down her legs. He rolled over on his back stretched out with his hands behind his head. He shared a wickedly daring smile. “It’s your turn to take the lead. Show me what you want.”
She returned his smile accepting his dare. Hannah straddled him, shameless of her passion. She teased his lips with her tongue keeping her gaze locked onto his. Her lips tasted his extended neck before returning to his mouth. She moved lower sliding on his muscle bound body. Heat radiated between their perspiring bodies. Her hand held his manhood as she moved to consume him inside her. The sensation of being touched deep inside sparked an intense wave of quivering need. She arched her back and neck to see his eyes. His neck muscles protruded as his body length extended with anticipation. The sight of him extremely aroused, desperately wanting her, set her ablaze with a yearning to rock his world.
Hannah ran her hands down his chest as she pushed herself to an upright position. His hands clutched her thighs. “Oh, yes sexy lady. Show me what you’ve got.” His deep breaths, exhaled in low throaty growls, inspired her performance.
Their bodies were in tune and he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Their eyes were locked in a magnetic force telepathically transmitting the wanton enchantment of their bodies. With a slow up and down rocking motion of her hips, she extended her arms tossing her hair. She controlled the rippling flame burning in her groin with her hip motion rubbing against him. His hardy breath grew louder as he lifted her hips with his hands. She braced herself with her hands behind her on his thighs. His eyes burned into her as if he could see the explosive currents racing through her very core. She pushed hard against his raised groin. Her hips rocked against him no longer able to resist her burning need. Flames of pleasure spiraled through her, consuming her.
She moaned as her body convulsed with ecstasy. He raised his upper body to kiss in the moment, encircling her in his strong arms. His mouth dropped, deeply inhaling her breath as Hannah gently squeezed his balls. She felt his violent shudder travel to his manhood buried against the wall of her womb sending her into coils of pure lust. He exhaled as he collapsed on the bed, bringing her with him.
He played into the wee hours of the morning enjoying every scream and ecstatic moan.
Saturday morning Hannah snuggled contently into his chest. Her fun filled night had opened a new chapter in her book of sexual experiences. It was a very thin book but if Garret stuck around she expected it to turn into a full blown novel. Last night he taught her how fun sex could be, with wrestling matches and tickle fests.
Sort of lost when it came to men, relationships, and sex in general, she had to know what they had together.
“There’s something I need to know and I don’t want you to read too much into it when I ask. Will you answer a question truthfully with whatever pops into your head?”
He had expected this talk. They just happened without any of the preliminary courtship. “I won’t lie to you Hannah.” There wasn’t a need to lie to her. She wasn’t out to trap him.
“What are we doing? I’m not asking for a prediction of our future just sort of why you’re here now. I guess I what to know what you expect?”
He pushed a wisp of hair off her face with his hand. “I know what you’re asking. I wish I knew because I’ve been asking myself the same question. I suggest we stick it out until we find the answer.”
“Will you promise to tell me as soon as you figure it out? No matter what it turns out to be? I’ve been the butt of a joke once and I don’t want to ever make that mistake again.”
“Yes, I promise. But you have to make the same promise to me.”
It hadn’t occurred to him she was humiliated over being betrayed. It should have after seeing her speech to her friends in the bar. One of his rules was to firmly end any sexual encounters when he was done. It saved him from any misconceptions his partner might form. Some of them tracked him down anyway determined he was making a mistake. Their actions only confirmed he hadn’t made a mistake.
“Well, I was kind of depending on you to guide me through this. We sort of jumped into this somewhere in the middle … at least for me. I missed all the things that would give me a clue as to where this was leading. Like meeting, getting to know each other, dating … all the things people do before hopping into bed.”
She was right. Maybe that was why he wasn’t sure what they had. Being with her was easy, comfortable and free of the usual tension when searching for a connection. Their connection had come fast and furious but felt natural.
“I know … We can still do all those things. Maybe that’s what we’re doing now with the added benefit of having sex.” She giggled softly resting on his chest. “What’s so funny?” He asked finding her amusement out of sync with the seriousness of the conversation.
“I’ve never really dated. Jay and I were always together and we made plans to do things. He didn’t ask me to go anywhere. We just discussed options on how we would spend our weekends. I didn’t realize that before now. In retrospect it seems weird.”
Jay was a friend and they planned events the same way she planned things with the girls. No wonder she felt like a teenager waiting for Garret to appear and dressing for him. She hadn’t had the dating experience, ever.
“Hannah, would you do me the honor of accompanying me this evening to a concert in the park? It’s not much of a concert. Some local guitar playing, banjo strumming people perform in the city park every Saturday night.”
That request may be the sweetest thing she had ever heard. Oh shit, it touched her heart and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to protect it.
“I would love that. What time should I expect you?”
“You can expect me after I see Pops, but we’ll leave here about six. I might want an added benefit before we go. Everyone brings food and they set up a big buffet. I’ll stop by the grocery store and find something.”
“I’ll make something to bring. I actually have food in the house… remember?” She slid on top of him never wanting him more than she did now.
CHAPTER NINE
Behind the wheel of his car Garret drove to Hannah’s cottage the same as the last four Fridays. He easily fell into a routine. Friday nights with Hannah, visiting Pop’s on Saturdays, then back to Hannah for another night before he said goodbye to Pops and returned to the city on Sunday.
Each work week drug by slower than the last. Garret crammed everything into the beginning of the week so he could leave early on Fridays. As CEO he could do as he damn well pleased with donations at an all-time high. The foundation was under the scrutiny of his trained eyes and tightly pressed thumb. No funds moved without his signature insuring they were allotted correctly. In a month or two his work load would substantially increase with next year’s budget due in January. Meetings would fill
his days with charity events cutting into his weekends. Corporations, businesses, and wealthy patrons needed to unload money for tax deductions. He would be there to gladly offer a helping hand.
Work was, as always, his first priority but weekends with Hannah had become a close second, maybe too close. It was harder to leave her each Sunday. Friday’s he packed his car in the morning and left work to go straight to the cottage. The moment he saw her bright smile waiting to greet him he relaxed. Tension that he hadn’t realized held his muscles in a tight grip, dissipated as soon as he tasted her lips. It was her, not just the fantastic sex that pulled him to the cottage every weekend. As long as he was aware of the situation, he wouldn’t get hooked. Work would set the stage for some distance sooner than he cared to think about. Until then, with an exit strategy firmly in place, he would continue to enjoy the full benefits of the weekends, postponing the inevitable for as long as possible.
Parking in his normal spot in front of her cottage he saw Hannah walking out her gate. A welcoming smile was painted on the lips he rushed here to taste. She met him at the curb to eagerly fall into his arms. His tedious work week lifted from his shoulders as their lips melted into a kiss.
This moment was Hannah’s favorite time in their weekends together. The moment the weekend started. His first kiss held all the promises of the two wonderful nights they would spend in each other’s arms. It also relieved her of the worry he might not appear. That day would come soon enough. She had learned more about him every weekend. He had a fun side to him that he tried to hide but it escaped more often than not, with her. The more she delved into his many layers the more vulnerable her heart became. She was willing to do whatever she could to postpone his inevitable departure.
“You have perfect timing. I came out here looking for a big strong man to help carry in groceries. Have you seen one?”