Road of Stars

by Ariel Bonin

  "People, too," Lindsey retorted as Caren gagged for the second time that day and put even more space between them.

  "What do you say we check out that house over there?" Andrew pointed across the street to a long driveway that ended with a small farmhouse. "See if we can't find you some new clothes?"

  "That would be great. Thanks."

  "Zoey?"

  "I'm good, Dad! Charlie's gonna show me how to fix the oil leak."

  Andrew and Lindsey exchanged a shrug. The girl's excitement seemed misplaced, but it was a good thing for her to learn.

  Tilting his head to one side, Andrew asked, "Shall we?"

  _____

  Lindsey opened the closet in the master bedroom and began to flip through the hanging articles of clothing. Half of it must have belonged to the man of the household: overalls, plaid shirts and suspenders. The other half was made for a very large woman: huge pants, huge shirts and just as huge dresses. Lindsey slipped what she could only describe as a Muumuu dress off its plastic hanger and laid it out on the floor. The stretchy fabric was black and scattered with tiny pastel-colored flowers, which were actually quite pretty. Unsnapping her knife from its sheath, she wielded the blade and began slicing. She tore off the sleeves, cut a 'V' in the scooped neckline and removed almost the entire bottom half. Going back to the closet, she found a thin tan belt—most likely belonging to the man—and frayed off the length she wouldn't need, completing it with a precise cut to allow a notch for the buckle.

  Andrew walked into the room a few minutes later, his gaze coming to rest on the pile of scraps. "What the hell have you been doin'?"

  Lindsey spun around from the crooked, full-length mirror and could have sworn she saw Andrew's eyes widen. She'd ditched her soiled clothes, keeping only her boots and undergarments, and replaced them with the dress. The hem came halfway down her thighs, showing off more leg than she'd meant to, but she was past the point of caring. To maintain some resemblance of a waistline, she'd cinched the fabric with her newly-fashioned belt. The whole outfit was actually pretty cool, especially since that morning Caren had styled her dirty hair into a messy ponytail with a few small braids.

  Looking at Andrew, she knew he approved; his knuckles turned white as he squeezed his rifle, all the while his lustful gaze wandering over her exposed legs. A small, weak part of Lindsey wanted to be afraid of what he could do to her—but the real part of her was excited. She was tired of being a victim.

  No more.

  _____

  The combination of the dress and her new hairstyle sent Andrew's libido into overdrive. His hands longed to touch her—if he gripped his rifle any tighter it would probably break in half. Lightly he licked his lips, already imagining the wonderful taste of her skin.

  "Close the door."

  He almost didn't believe his ears when he heard her utter those three words, but he could see it in her eyes. She wanted him—and he was more than happy to oblige. Swiftly, he propped his rifle against the wall, shut the door and threw the lock. Turning back to the beautiful woman across the room, he assessed that the bed was a no-go; the mattress and box-spring had been used as barriers in the living room. The only other available furniture was a desk.

  Lindsey must have seen it at the exact same time, because they met in front of it, Andrew's arms drawing her body completely against his own. They backed up toward the wooden surface in a flurry of kisses. She made a sound of protest when his teeth nipped her injured bottom lip, causing him to pull away. Her hands clamped onto either side of his head and she whispered, "I'm okay—just don't stop."

  Relieved, Andrew continued to kiss her, breathing in her naturally sweet scent. His tongue licked between her lips, as he wanted to get that sweetness from the inside as well. Lindsey moaned into his mouth, matching the movement of his tongue with her own. When they bumped into the side of the desk, Andrew used an arm to swipe the entire surface clean, sending papers into the air and clattering pens onto the floor. In one swoop, he lifted her onto the desk and pulled her forward until her backside rested on the edge. He parted her legs and slid his hands up her trembling thighs. While gazing into her cloudy eyes, he clutched her black underwear within his fist, feeling her wet warmth underneath.

  "Do you like this underwear?"

  Lindsey grinned, knowing. "I have more."

  He reached his other hand up her dress and, in one efficient rip, tore off her panties. The shred of fabric fell from his fingertips to join the office supplies on the floor. There was no denying the heat in Lindsey's eyes and at that point Andrew could barely contain himself. Much to his relief, Lindsey started unbuckling his belt. She slung his holster over the desk chair and got to work on his pants.

  "Please say you have something," she begged, the words spilling out on an exhale.

  "Nowadays, I'm always prepared." He reached into his left front pocket and produced a single condom.

  "You must've been a Boy Scout, Captain Flynn," she murmured against his parted lips.

  Holding up his middle and pointer finger like a closed peace sign, he said, "Yes, ma'am."

  Lindsey glanced at the traditional Scout Sign and laughed. "Come here, you."

  Their lips melded together as her hands slipped under the hem of his white t-shirt. She ghosted her fingertips across the small of his back and lightly scraped her nails down the curve of his spine, sending chills throughout his body. He freed his aching erection and fumbled with the condom. Glancing down for only a second, he made sure it was on and then guided himself to her slick entrance. Lindsey clutched his shoulders for support, but they were fortunate that the desk was just the right height. She hissed out a breath as he sank all the way in and ground their hips together. His thrusts were slow and gentle, different from their behavior only moments before.

  "You can be rough with me," she whispered while staring into the blue abyss of his eyes. "Remember the motel bathroom?"

  Andrew's lips curved into a crooked grin—the same one he'd given her that night after he'd literally fucked her against the counter. Now that he had her full consent, his hands gripped her ass a little firmer as he plunged into her. Lindsey rolled her head back on a moan of pleasure, whimpering with every stab of his hips. The desk bumped against the wall, which caused a lamp on a nearby shelf to shift about and fall onto the floor. It shattered on impact, earning a stifled laugh from the lovemaking twosome.

  "God, Lindsey, quit making so much noise," Andrew teased in between kissing her.

  "Oh, you love it."

  He caught her bottom lip between his teeth and tugged gently. Lindsey winced on another moan and he said, "You're right—I do."

  Andrew increased the speed of his thrusts, pumping in and out of her with a surprising show of stamina. He could feel his release building as his muscles rippled under her wandering hands.

  "I'm close," Lindsey bit off between muted sobs.

  "Me, too," he said breathlessly at her ear.

  Instead of letting her lean back and moving over her, which would have been easier, Andrew kept her pressed against him as he drove for that sensation of complete nirvana—he wanted to feel every part of her when she finally let go. Lindsey's mouth dropped open as she achieved her earth-shattering orgasm, releasing a harsh cry into his greedy mouth.

  "Oh, God, Andrew!"

  He waited until he heard his name tumble from her lips and then lost what little control he'd had left. Lindsey's short nails clawed weakly at his perspiring shoulders as he rode out his release until the very last quake.

  They were left panting from the physical exertion, tangled in a mess of limbs on the sturdy desk. Andrew always loved the image of Lindsey post-romp with her skin flushed and somewhat shiny. She met his gaze and smiled as he brushed a blonde fly-away from her damp forehead. He leaned in to kiss her deeply, all the while softening inside her.

  "I hope you weren't uncomfortable. I know this wasn't ideal," he said.

  Lindsey giggled, the adorable sound like music to his ears. "Ar
e you kidding me? I've always wanted to do that."

  Chapter 18

  When they returned to the group, each carrying a bag full of canned goods and toiletries, Caren gave the blonde a once over.

  "Love the dress!"

  Lindsey smiled and said sincerely, "Thanks."

  As Andrew began to chat with Nicholas and Tyler, the younger woman leaned in close to whisper in a sing-song voice, "Lindsey and Andrew sittin' in a tree…"

  Lindsey attempted to hide the fire flooding her cheeks as she momentarily thought back to a few months before when Caren had sung that same thing while she stitched up her hand in the school cafeteria. She glanced back at Caren and offered an innocent smile. Unbeknownst to her, Caren could plainly see the redness on Lindsey's neck and chest from where Andrew's beard had rubbed against her skin.

  "You good?" Caren asked, meeting her shy gaze.

  When she spoke, her mischievous, glittering eyes said everything. "I'm good."

  A slow grin spread across Caren's face. "Good."

  Lindsey felt like they were having an Andrew and Charlie moment. The two men were like brothers and hardly had to speak to share a thought. Right now, she and Caren were doing the same thing. One look and Caren knew exactly what she was thinking. Of course, the other woman didn't have all the visuals like she did—Andrew tearing off her underwear on top of the desk, watching him take her from behind in the motel bathroom, the adulation in his eyes as they'd made love in the seclusion of their bedroom at the ranch and remembering how gentle he had been the first time he'd touched her—they were all her memories, and hers alone. But every once in a while it was nice to gush about it with a close friend, even if it was silently.

  Charlie approached the two smiling women and gestured toward their car. "It's good to go. Just try not to break it again," he said to Lindsey with a wink.

  Scoffing and shaking her head, she threw her bag into the open trunk, shut it and got behind the wheel.

  _____

  Andrew watched a sign pass by for Crystal River and knew exactly where they were. Back at the mini-mart, Tyler had estimated their location, allowing Andrew and Nicholas to see how close they were to the coast. He was relieved to have seen the sign because he'd spent the last twenty minutes thinking about the fact that Lindsey wasn't wearing any underwear now. He really hoped they wound up at another motel that night—once he got a taste of privacy with her, he couldn't wait for the next occasion. He promised himself he'd take his time with her, drawing out each and every orgasm she kept inside that gorgeous body.

  Nicholas took a right turn off the main road, just as they'd talked about. Lindsey followed in the white sedan and threw her arms up in question at the detour. Andrew simply nodded and gave her a thumbs up, doing his best to shake the image of her naked and writhing beneath him.

  The winding road came to an end and Nicholas pulled into the deserted parking lot of a tall condominium. Turners could be seen wandering on the outside balconies, but they were up so high that there was no threat. When Nicholas shut off the truck, Andrew could already hear it—the rhythmic pull and crash of rolling waves. He dropped down next to Lindsey, who was already holding Jacob, and angled his head toward the beach entrance.

  "You wanna check it out?"

  Lindsey's astounded gaze remained straight ahead. Finally, she released a breathy laugh. "I can't remember that last time I went to the beach."

  "Me neither. I think it was for Zoey's fifth birthday. We took her to Daytona when I was stationed outside of Jacksonville."

  "And that's the only time I've ever gone to the beach," Zoey stated, jogging backwards ahead of them. "I don't even remember it!"

  "Well then, what are we waiting for?" Andrew asked Lindsey. He took Jacob so her arm wouldn't tire and reached down to clasp her hand with his own. Together, they walked down the sandy path. Andrew watched Lindsey's eyes light up at the wide expanse of white sand and turquoise surf.

  "My God," she breathed, "I never thought I'd see the ocean again."

  Andrew flashed his straight teeth at the blatant sound of awe in her soft voice. Pulling on her hand, he tugged her a little closer and she tipped her head up to accept a tender kiss from him. Afterward, she leaned into him as they took in the magnificent sight. Robert was nearby with Caren sitting between his legs, her back against his chest. Robert's hands rested on her stomach, neither one of them speaking—just seeing. Zoey found an abandoned tote bag peeking out of the sand and produced a neon orange Frisbee. Throwing it as hard as she could, it propelled forward but caught in the breeze and changed its angle. It swept downward diagonally and crashed into Charlie's back. The man flinched at the impact and looked around for the person responsible. Zoey's eyes widened at the annoyed expression on Charlie's face, prompting her to turn around to appear less guilty. Smirking, Charlie picked up the round piece of plastic and chucked it at the unsuspecting girl. It hit her in the back of the head, knocking off her hat.

  "Hey!" Zoey shouted, laughing. "Oh, it's on!" She left her hat in the sand and scooped up the Frisbee. When she threw it this time, Charlie actually caught it and a proper game ensued.

  Ana and Kat stood pensively at the water's edge, while Nicholas and Tyler remained by the billowing strands of grass at the beach's entrance. Lindsey sighed and stared up at Andrew's handsome face.

  "Do you think it will it be like this all the time when we reach New Canaan?"

  Andrew's heart skipped a beat at her hopeful tone. She said 'when'—not 'if!'

  "Lazy days at the beach and not a single worry about turners…?" she continued.

  He gazed into her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, I think so."

  "How much longer will it take us to get there?" The tired desperation in her voice was not put past him.

  "We're about 250 miles out. We'll have to travel around Tampa instead of through it, but I'd say only a few more days," he answered. As she sighed, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. "Just keep holdin' on, Linds. We'll be there before you know it."

  _____

  "Did we pass any good places to stay on the way out here?" Robert asked the group as they all walked back to the vehicles. A sudden splattering noise on the other side of the parking lot caught their attention and they watched as a second turner tumbled over one of the balconies above them. It impacted the hard ground like a wet sack of rotten meat, painting the pavement in a blossom of dark red. Everyone but Ana was too distracted by the horrible sight to see that there was a new truck in the parking lot.

  "We're not alone here," she announced.

  Andrew ripped his Beretta from its holster as Nicholas readied his own weapon and bellowed, "Show yourself!"

  The driver's door of the maroon Dodge Ram opened and a man of average stature stepped out. He appeared to be unarmed. "Captain Flynn? Is that you?"

  Andrew started, his dark eyebrows drawing together. Slowly, he lowered his weapon.

  "It is you! I always could spot those rugged features from a hundred klicks away! Did they ever stop calling you 'Hollywood'?"

  As the man neared, Andrew's frown faded and a smile emerged under his thickening beard. "Well I'll be damned! If it ain't the devil himself…"

  Nicholas and Lindsey exchanged a confused look as the two men vigorously shook hands. Andrew turned back to his group members and said, "This is Lt. Colonel William French—"

  "I think we're past the point of formalities, son. You all can call me Bill."

  "'Wild Bill,'" Andrew recalled with a chuckle. "That's what the guys at basic nicknamed you. Man, some of the shit you put us through…I never got to thank you for that."

  "Well, you can thank me now. The world's gone to shit but I'm glad to see you're still standin'."

  While Andrew proceeded to introduce each member of the group, he took in the older man's appearance. Bill had cotton-white hair and a deeply tanned face. A five o'clock shadow peppered his cheeks with more white. His choice of attire was a black t-shirt and gray cargo pants tucked into black army boots
. Judging from the wrinkles on his face and his official rank, Andrew knew him to be in his late fifties.

  Bill shook each of their hands and motioned to the truck. Two more people stepped out, one of which was armed with an M16, instinctively causing Andrew to be on his guard. The armed man stepped up and introduced himself with a friendly smile.

  "Corporal Hank Alexander. It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain." With dark skin and a bald head, Andrew thought he closely resembled their late group member Darius.

  The third person, a young girl, stayed close to Bill. "Everyone," he said, "this is my daughter Hannah. She was a junior at Beauregard High School just outside of Fort Benning where I was stationed."

  Andrew perked up. "You were at Fort Benning? We heard that it didn't last long."

  Bill nodded, his face solemn. "Unfortunately what you heard was true. That place went to shit faster than you can say FUBAR. Hank was my driver at the time. We got the hell outta there and picked up our families." He paused, swallowing hard. When he spoke, his voice was noticeably tighter. "We're all that's left."

  "I'm sorry," Andrew said. "We know what that's like."

  Hannah looked at him indifferently, but did a double-take when she saw Lindsey.

  "Mrs. Scott?" she interrupted, pushing past her father.

  Lindsey responded, befuddling Andrew for a moment as he remembered her married name.

  "Do you remember me?" Hannah asked. "I had you for English one year at Camden Middle School when my dad was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood."

  Talk about a small world.

  Lindsey screwed up her mouth as she studied the girl. "I recognize your face, but was your last name French? It's not ringing a bell."

  "That's because I was living with my mom at the time and used her last name," she said. "Taylor."

  Suddenly, it seemed to have dawned on Lindsey because her mouth dropped open. "Hannah Taylor! Yes, I remember you now! Always sat in the last seat in the front row…never got into any trouble."