by Rhonda Lott
An up tempo song came on. “Why don’t you two hit the floor?” Raven scooted out the booth. Grabbing Carter by the hand she wiggled her ass towards the few people dancing in the center of the room.
Brook turned to Dean, but his attention was glued to two men at the bar, they were laughing and glancing over at their table.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He pulled his eyes away from the men and shook his head, “Nothing,” He mumbled, and downed his beer.
“Since you’re obviously not going to ask me to dance, and that would be a no thank you if you had bothered, I’m going to the ladies room.” Brook bumped him with her hip and Dean stood up to let her out. His attention back on the bar. Brook didn’t know what the hell was going on with him and the men, but she could sense the tension in Dean, and his face had that I’m getting pissed as fuck expression all over it.
The restroom was clean and smelled of incense. Flowers in cute little vases adorned the vanity. It was obvious that the owner was a female. After Brook took care of her business and emerged from the stall, Gabby was there, leaning against the sinks. Brook startled a bit, she hadn’t heard her come in.
“I came in here to tell you that it’s about time Dean found someone.” She said.
“We’re not together,” Brook hurried to explain.
“No, the way you two look at each other says differently. Dean loved Natasha with his whole heart and when she passed away it was devastating. I love the big jerk like a brother and I want him happy. If there is any chance that you can open his heart to love again, I hope you’ll try. He’s turned cold and rough, but inside he has a huge heart.”
Brook didn’t know what to say, she decided to be honest. “I have a lot of baggage, Gabby. Dean has been good to me and I feel there’s a definite attraction between us. He’s not ready to let anybody in and I’m just starting to find myself. I’m sorry, but I don’t think we're meant to be together, at least not now.” Brook confessed, the reality of her words hurt.
Gabby smiled. “You’re a good woman, my sister would approve of you, Brook.” Gabby walked out the door.
Brook stared after her. Natasha’s sister gave her the green light. Funny how that made her heart swell in her chest. It was an empty kind of joy, because she knew that Dean’s heart was encased in stone, and there was little hope of chiseling it out.
**
Dean was going to let the bastard slide, Clyde was an asshole. The man and his buddies were checking Brook out all night and it got on his last damn nerve. He was going to let it slide, until Clyde followed Brook on her way to the rest room. Dean was on his ass before Clyde made it to the hallway, he slammed the man against the wall, forearm against his throat.
“Clyde, you and I aren’t friends and I know you got a screw or two loose in that huge noggin of yours, but I know damn well you aren’t about to mess with the woman I’m with?” Dean said.
Clyde choked and sputtered. “I just wanted to get a closer look at her, man she’s hot. The video didn’t do her justice dude.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, what video?” Dean shoved him back against the wall.
Clyde pulled his arm up, showing his cell phone. On the screen a woman was on her knees, with a guy fucking her mouth. Dean snatched the phone from Clyde. The woman was Brook. His Brook, sucking some guys dick. The man leaned her over the foot of a bed, glanced back at the camera and smiled, before ramming his cock into her. Dean’s world stopped for a second and his stomach dropped, his Brook, on line having sex with some guy for the whole world to see. This couldn’t be real. Dean took a step back away from Clyde. His hand squeezed the phone so tight he felt it cracking from the pressure. He jerked around at the shocked gasp behind him. He turned to find Brook, eyes wide, mouth open, and a look of pure horror on her face.
His heart shattered. Dean shoved the phone into Clyde’s chest. “Get the fuck out of here.”
Clyde all but ran back to the bar. Dean took a step towards Brook but she backed away, tears sliding down her face. She was shaking visibly, one hand grabbing her chest.
“Brook, I’m sorry—” he started, but she simply held up a trembling hand and stared at him with those soulful brown eyes, devastation written across her face.
“No, God no.” She shook her head and ran, dodging people as she stumbled out the door.
“Damn,” Dean took off after her, stopping to grab their coats. Not bothering to say anything to Carter and Raven, who were staring after them wearing shocked, but concerned expressions, he hit the door on the run. He found her emptying her stomach by the side of his truck. The sound of her dry heaving sliced into his chest. He needed to comfort her, but for the life of him, he didn’t know what he could possibly do to make this situation better.
She finally leaned back against the truck holding her middle, shoulders shaking. Dean searched his pockets and found nothing, no tissue, no paper, so he pulled down the sleeve of his flannel shirt and wiped the tears away. She threw herself into his arms, Dean pulled her in, wrapping her up. She felt so right there, next to his heart. He didn’t say anything, just held her as she cried. He needed to put a bullet in Kevin, right through his black heart. The sick fuck was responsible for that video, Dean knew it.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get out of the cold.” Dean placed her coat across her shoulders, unlocked the door and placed her inside the truck. She said nothing, simply allowed him to take care of her. He got in and started the heater. Brook took hold of his arm.
“What am I supposed to do now? Everyone in town will know about that video, if not now then they will eventually.” She shivered and turned her face away. “How could one man be so evil? To secretly tape us, then put it online. Oh God, how can I possibly live this shit down? I have to leave here.”
Dean’s body tightened, something like fear clawed at him. “We can get the video taken down. You don’t have to leave.”
“But, half the town might have seen it already. What if someone says something to Chris?” Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. “I can’t let this hurt him, I can’t let that happen.”
Dean felt the truth of her words wash over him. She would leave to protect them. Chis had come to mean a lot to her and she wasn’t about to let anything hurt his son. He didn’t respond, he didn’t have the words at that moment. Dean grabbed her hand in his, and drove off. She would leave, he knew it and his heart hurt like hell at the thought, but what could he say to her. She was right. He wanted her to stay, she felt good in their lives as if she was made to be there. But, he had to let her go. Chris’ happiness came first. He would have to say goodbye to Brook.
CHAPTER SIX
The light under her door trickled out into the hallway as he watched her shadow move back and forth. Dean placed his fist to the door, paused, and then let it drop back to his side. What could he say to her? Brook was leaving. In his head, it made perfect sense for her to go. Brook’s ex was a problem and he had enough problems of his own to worry about. He still found himself standing at her door ready to ask her to stay. Chris might face the backlash, but that was unlikely. His boy was attached to her real deep and loosing another person would be a pain Dean wanted to spare his son at all cost. Chris needed Brook. He needed Brook.
The door opened a crack and he stepped back. Brook pulled the door open wide, she wore silky black shorts and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back in a puffy pony tail. Eyes still a little red from crying. Her face etched with sadness, a deep down gut wrenching sadness. Without a word and never breaking eye contact, she took his hand and led him inside. Dean closed the door.
“Brook—”
She shook her head, wrapped her arms around his neck, and placed her lips on his. Dean groaned and took control of the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside, thunderstruck by his need for her. She wasn’t a short woman, he didn’t have to bend to enjoy her. He liked that. The sweetness of her sunk deep, powerful, pure, completely Brook. He couldn’t get enough of her taste. He gra
bbed two fistfuls of her curls, pulling her head back and ate at her soft lips. It was heaven and hell, enslaving and freefalling combined, shocking his system. He pushed his throbbing cock into the hot v between her legs. Through his jeans the warmth of her brought a shock of desire that had his hips grinding, needing to get closer. Brook moaned and pushed her breast against his chest. He turned them, pressing her back against the door. Her body molded to him, all her curves up against him, calling to the beast in him. Lust, monstrous and impatient, coiled within. Desire for her sat ready, long denied, clawing at him, poised to take over. Dean placed kisses down her neck, nipping and sucking as he went, she purred and pressed in closer. He couldn’t get enough, he was starved and she was a ten course meal. He couldn’t keep away from her sweet lips, they were his addiction. His tongue battled with hers, causing his rock hard erection to thicken, demanding to be released.
Dean pulled away an inch. He had to get a grip on himself.
“Just this once, we can forget about everything and have this one night for us.” Brook’s chest heaved, breath warm across his damp face.
Yes, he wanted that, just them. This one night he’d stop denying his desire. He wanted her. From the first moment his eyes landed on her, a deep and constant need hummed inside for her. No matter how many times he told himself that he shouldn’t be thinking about Brook as a lover, he went right back imagining what it would be like to have her. Could he take one night without wanting forever? Hell yes, he’d let the beast free, let his desire for Brook have this night.
Stepping back, he pulled her T-shirt up and off. She was braless and her luscious orbs greeted him, perfectly golden, capped with dark, delectable berries. He brought one into his mouth and teased it with light strokes of his tongue, she gasped, pushing into him. He bit down lightly and felt her tremble, nails sinking into his back, hot pussy grinding on his cock.
Picking her up, he placed her on her feet beside the bed. Heart wild, his dick pressing hard against his zipper. Dean ripped her shorts down, but didn’t dare look at her, until he was undressed. He turned, his breath caught in his chest. Brook rested against the pillows, her eyes traveling over him with a small smile on her lips. She was stunning, deep golden skin, curves that made his mouth water, and those dark brown eyes of hers pulled at a part of him that he didn’t want to examine. Fuck the world, her past, his past, he had to have this woman and before the night was out, he would convince her to stay with him, he had to.
**
Dean stood next to the bed, naked body glowing in the light of the bedside lamp. His body was long with well-defined muscles. He worked hard for a living and it was evident, no gym could give a man that look. His hard cock stood thick and proud between his legs. Dean pulled a condom from his jeans and rolled it down his shaft. Brook’s eyes traveled up to his face. Neatly trimmed dark beard, deep gray eyes, and disheveled chocolate brown hair, he was a beautiful man.
“You carry one of those with you all the time?” She asked.
Dean let a small grin slip past his lips. “Since you showed up, yeah.”
Brook smiled, well what do you know, her growly rancher wanted her bad. Great and absolutely great, because she wanted him so bad she ached with it. One smile from him and her body warmed, one accidental swipe of his hand against her and her panties dampened. Six weeks of longing for Dean. Night after night dreaming of him and now he was here, gloriously naked and wanting her right back.
Dean came down to her, he brought her up close and captured her lips, kissing her with a longing she felt down to her toes. Brook ran her hands up his wide back, lost in the feel of him, hard and throbbing against her thigh. He trailed kisses down to her breast, sucking each nipple in turn, heat shot straight to her pulsing core. Brook slid her thighs open, his body moved between them, stroking a thick finger through her wet folds. Dean toyed with her aching nub, then pushed a finger inside. Brook arched back, crying out his name. His finger felt huge and wonderful sliding in and out.
It had been so long, and her body was shaking with the raw power of such intense desire. Dean was a force of fucking nature, consuming all of her. His hands worked magic between her legs. His lips traveled down, kissing and biting her neck, breast, and then slid lower, licking the moisture from her damp skin. His tongue circled her belly button, teeth nipped at her belly, all the while keeping his fingers working her, teasing her, catapulting her into a state of delirium. A cry of shocked pleasure broke free when Dean’s hot tongue stroked her pussy.
She rocked her hips against his face as his tongue rolled over her clit, his beard rough on her inner thighs. Dean pushed further into her moaning into her tender flesh and Brook lost all control, her orgasm grabbed her. Brook let loose a long groan of ecstasy as her body held her suspended, bowed tight off the bed. Dean didn’t stop nipping and stroking her, wringing the last bit of pleasure out of her, before lowering her to the bed, moving his hips between her thighs. He kissed her deeply, thrusting his rock hard erection between her soaking wet pussy lips.
Brook could feel the fire raising in her center as he moaned, rubbed his dick with increasing pressure against her ultra-sensitive bundle of nerves. The sound of their harsh breathing filled the room, adding to the eroticism of their dance.
“Look at me Brook.” Dean’s voice was raw with need, he kissed her closed lids.
Brooked gazed up into his stormy gray eyes and the primal lust she saw there made her heart squeeze as it thundered against her ribs.
“I want you to stay with us. I’ll keep you and Chris safe, trust me.” He grunted out that last part as if he couldn’t wait another second, and then he pushed into her. Pumping into her with short hard strokes that brought her to the brink of climax in seconds. His lips locked onto the tender side of her neck, he sucked as he rode her. His hands pulled her hips up, she pushed them up further. She moved with him stroke for stroke, rejoicing at the roll of desire ripping cries from her. Brook bit his chest, clasping his strong neck with her arms. Giving him all of her.
Dean pulled himself up onto his arms. “Baby, you feel so damn good.” He groaned.
Brook didn’t know if it was his words or the grind of his pelvis against her clit on his powerful down strokes, but she shattered. Her body clasped his in pulses of fierce mind numbing release.
Dean was unstoppable, he pounded her through her orgasm, built her passion up over and over again, until she was a shaking, quivering mass of sensations and emotions. He shouted, body going hard as stone as he came. Bucking into her until he had nothing left, then sinking down on the covers beside her. He wrapped her up in his arms. Brook nestled her damp body in tight.
His heartbeat slowed, she kissed his chest.
“I think I love you Dean.” She whispered.
“I love you too Nat.” He murmured.
Brook’s body went cold. Icy fingers of regret fisted her heart. Brook turned her back and pushed down her pain and rage. The asshole, he wasn’t loving her at all, he was pretending she was his dead wife.
**
He peered into the window. They rutted like animals, like he knew they would. The way the idiot, lusted after the woman, it was beyond pathetic. The new fallen snow was pristine white and sparkling beneath his boots. Soon, he would spray it red with their blood. His dick hardened, not from watching them, but from the image of them splayed open in the white snow. That would come in time. All he had was time and pain. In one single moment his life had changed. Cold wind blasted across his face as he stroked himself and shuddered with pleasure. That bitch will be his downfall, too bad she showed up when she did. Now she would have to die right along with him. Dean Mills had to pay for his interference. He had a plan, one that involved the beautiful brown skinned woman and the ex-husband who was spying on her. The big, dumb ex-husband was too afraid of Dean to make any real moves. It was time to change all that. He knew how to convince people to do his bidding. His plan was coming together nicely. Even though it took Mills longer than expected to fuck the bitch.
Now that he did, it was time to talk to the ex, and get the ball rolling. Soon, all the wrongs will be made right. He crunched through the snow into the tree line, off to find my accomplice. He smiled and it pulled his face skin so tight it brought tears to his eyes. He found strength in his pain, embraced it as a sign that the Lord approved.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Two days and still nothing, Brook stood at the door of the shed. If he wanted to talk to her he had plenty of time during the past two days. Dean was gone from the bed when she woke after their night of amazing sex. She didn’t expect him to be there. He’d said his wife’s name and that stung like a mother, but he’d also asked her to stay. Then poof, he vanished. Well, she didn’t play that way. Dean Mills thought she would sit back and wait on him, no not this woman. Brook’s new rules clearly stated, if you got a problem, face it. She wasn’t hiding and she wasn’t about to let him.
Pushing open the door without knocking, her eyes searched the dim interior. The shed smelled of fresh cut wood, leather, and sweet gum oil. Dean sat on a bench in the darkened back of the room, polishing a saddle. His head shot up, and his eyes widened slightly. Anybody else wouldn’t have noticed, but she did.
“Can we talk?” she asked, her voice came out strong, even though her heart rate was quickening.
He locked eyes with her. His cool gray stare, softened and his lips pulled up on one side. “Yeah, we need to talk, sit next to me.” He made room for her on the bench.