On His Turf

by Jennifer Watts

  “I used to all the time. Being out here with my brothers, target shooting, swimming, riding, it was the best way to grow up,” he says and there’s wistfulness in his voice that I haven’t heard before.

  “So you’re a horse-riding, shotgun-toting, soccer playing cowboy with a tattoo? You must be having one hell of an identity crisis, Shane Mitchell,” I laugh, rubbing my hands along the mare’s coarse coat.

  “Guilty,” he says, holding up his hands. “I also do jujitsu and I can play the piano.”

  “You are quite the accomplished ‘golden boy’, aren’t you?” I tease and he breaks out in laughter.

  I pat the mare’s neck gently then step away and Shane hangs up the brush before leading me out of the stall. I turn to ask him what we are going to do next but without warning he backs me against the wall.

  “I’ve been itching to taste these lips all evening.” He nibbles on my bottom lip before pulling into between his teeth and biting down. “I need you so badly right now,” he groans, hiking my pencil skirt up my legs.

  “Is that what you say to all the girls you bring to the barn?” I gasp out as his fingers skim up the inside of my thigh.

  “I don’t bring girls home. Ever,” he snarls as he thrusts his hips against me to show me just how ready he is. I give in to his bruising mouth as his arms come around me. He carries me over to a ladder and tells me to climb up, slapping my ass as I go. Upstairs there’s a small loft with a scattering of hay on the ground and a few blankets piled to the side. He spreads out one of the blankets and lays me down it before settling himself on top of me. His hands go to my blouse and he hurriedly undoes the buttons while tugging the bottom of it out of my skirt. He spreads the shirt wide, revealing my pink push up bra beneath.

  “Damn, Carmelina. Every time I undress you it’s like unwrapping a Christmas present. You are so beautiful.” He tilts my chin back with one hand while the other traces down my breast bone and along my stomach, finally dipping beneath my skirt. His other hand joins in the action and he pulls my underwear aside and slips a finger inside of me.

  “So. Fucking. Wet,” he growls, pulling his hands away to fumble with his pants. I try to squirm away but he quickly covers me, pressing his hard chest against mine to hold me in place. His lips trace along my collarbone and lower until he’s sucking my nipple through my lacy bra.

  “We can’t, Shane. Not at your parent’s house,” I pant while trying to wiggle out from underneath him but he braces his legs over mine.

  “Technically we’re not in the house,” he states as his tongue comes up to dip into my ear. “We’re in the barn.”

  Before I can argue his logic he’s letting out a long hiss as he slides his length in. He circles his hips from right to left and I whimper in response. The way he’s moving inside of me, so sweet and slow, is unlike any time before it. His eyes never leave mine as he fills me completely and within minutes I feel my climax building. From the way his breathing picks up I can tell that he’s about to head right over the edge with me. His whole body jerks in response and he moans my name before collapsing in my arms. Once the spasms stop he lays still but doesn’t pull out. His damp chest rises and falls with unsteady breaths and his big hands come up to brush back my hair.

  “That was perfect,” he pants out.

  “You’re pretty perfect yourself, golden boy. I guess it’s all that practice you must get being such a ladies man,” I giggle as I stretch my arms over my head but from the way his eyebrows slam down I know that I’ve said something wrong.

  “Really? Right now you decide to have this conversation when my dick is still half hard inside of you?” He shouts, startling me. He abruptly pulls out and yanks his khaki shorts up his legs. I bite down on my lip as I stand and straighten my own clothes.

  “I don’t know why you’re freaking out,” I say quietly adding, “when you’re the one that set the terms with your ‘no girlfriends’ comment.”

  “Fine, maybe I deserve that. Maybe I set the terms initially with my words but you’re the one keeping them alive with your actions,” he retorts.

  “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?” I snap and he laughs harshly.

  “You hide behind a stupid comment that I made during some half-assed interview and you bring it out whenever you need to so you can keep yourself at a distance. Yeah, I may have said that I don’t do girlfriends because the truth is I haven’t wanted a girlfriend in a very long time. But you haven’t exactly be sending me signals that you want us to be exclusive so who’s really the one who’s keeping her options open?” he says snidely.

  “For me there is no other option,” I whisper, staring at the floor. “I thought that was obvious. But I can’t expect you to want the same thing.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” he mutters, stalking over and pulling my body against his. “How can you be so blind?” He says as he tilts my chin up. “Why don’t we both try calling this exactly what it is; you and I are together and for however we are together there’s no one else. I want you in my bed, I want you at my breakfast table, I want to see your face on the sidelines cheering…I want you all the time, babe. You are mine and no one else can have you. Understand?” he asks and when I look into his serious eyes all I can do is nod. “Good.” There are no more words as he molds his lips against mine and gives me a claiming kiss that leaves me breathless.

  “Thank you,” I say and when he smiles I notice that his eyes look a little less stormy.

  “We should get back. I have to work tomorrow and I want to say a proper goodbye to your mom,” I say, clearing my throat.

  “She loves you already,” he says proudly.

  “I’m sure she loves everyone. She’s a pretty incredible woman. You’re lucky,” I say and he studies me carefully before speaking.

  “Yeah, I am,” he agrees as he places one last soft kiss to my cheek.

  We walk back from the barn to the house where we find Mike and Brenda in the family room watching television on the big leather sofa.

  “The boys went out and said they would see you on the weekend,” Mike addresses Shane, getting up from his seat.

  “You should come!” Brenda looks at me and then over to Shane who gives her a look but she continues. “We are having some friends over for a Sunday afternoon barbecue and we would love to have you.”

  “Mom, I’m sure Carmelina has better…” Shane starts but I blurt out “I’d love to!” before he can even finish his sentence. “I really would,” I say again and I can feel the heat of the blush that must be staining my cheeks. My eyes find his and he gives me a gentle nod before addressing his mom.

  “Count us in then.”

  “Wonderful!” She says, clapping her hands together. They walk us to the door but not before loading me up with leftovers for my lunches. Brenda insisted that it was probably going to go to waste and that she couldn’t stand the thought of me eating all those “pansy woman-salads and cold sandwiches” at work which actually made me laugh out loud. It seems that every time she opens her mouth the more enamored I become.

  “It was a real pleasure meeting you, dear.” Brenda embraces me and gives me a quick peck on the cheek and I almost crumble right there from the motherly gesture. Mike claps his son on the back and places a kiss atop my head. It occurs to me then that they must all be just as touchy-feely as Shane and now I know where he gets it from. They follow us out to the drive and before I climb into the passenger seat of the truck Mike leans forward and plucks a straw of hay from my hair before handing it to me.

  “You’ve got some on the back of your shirt too, darlin’,” he says and his voice is laced with amusement.

  “Ohmygod,” I say in a rush of breath and he chuckles.

  “Now, there’s no need to involve the good Lord - a tussle in the hay will often result in a few little souvenirs. I should know,” he adds, winking at his wife.

  “I’ll remember that,” I manage to squeak out as I hoist myself into the cab. I notice that Shane is grinn
ing from ear to ear as they wave us off down the driveway.

  “I am completely mortified!” I cry out when the house is no longer in view. “You’re parents know that we had sex in their barn!”

  “Babe, look at you,” he says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “That wild sexy hair, the rosy flush to your cheeks, those plump swollen lips…damn just looking at you I want to take you again. So yeah, they knew, hay in your hair or not,” he explains and he seems pretty proud of himself.

  “How are you not freaking out right now?” I ask.

  “There’s a saying in Texas you might have heard before; ‘if you done it, it ain’t braggin’ and my kin know that better than anyone else.” He gives me a reassuring wink and turns the radio up loud as the truck barrels down the dark road in the direction of the city lights.

  Chapter 14

  My feet are on fire by the time I make it back to my place and my toes are screaming at me from inside of my six inch heels. After taking time off for Salt Lake my bills have been begging me to play catch up so I took a few extra shifts at Fantasy Lounge. We had a full house tonight and it took three last calls to clear them all out. Add to that the battery on my crappy car dying and a jumpstart from Rick and I’m home way later than usual.

  I take the stairs up to my place slowly, tightening my jacket around my shoulders to fend of the bite of cold that’s in the pre-dawn air. I’m inserting my key into the lock when a hand comes down on my shoulder making me scream out loud.

  “Ahh!” I shriek as I whirl around and slam my body back against the door. I am about to deliver an epic kick to the nuts along with a handful of keys to an eyeball when I see Shane standing in front of me.

  “Shit, babe, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says sheepishly.

  “This from the man who tells me that I live in an unsafe building. Jesus Shane it’s 3:30 in the morning!” I whisper-shout, clutching a hand to my chest. “And you shouldn’t sneak up on people!”

  I release the hold I have on my jacket as I try to steady my breathing. It falls open and his eyes narrow as they lock on to my uniform.

  “What the fuck are you wearing?”

  Oh shit. “Clothes?” I try for flippant but he just snorts.

  “Barely. Why would you wear that to work?” he presses as his eyes scan my bare legs.

  Because it’s better than pasties and a thong, I think to myself. Because I have no choice. But instead I settle on the first lie I can think of.

  “Because it was theme night tonight.”

  “And what theme would that be?” he challenges as he takes a step in my direction.

  “Prohibition era?” I falter.

  “Why would they do a theme at a sports bar?” He asks adding, “and why haven’t you invited me to come and see where you work yet?”

  “I told you before it’s a long drive out of town just for you to sit there while I wait tables and ignore you.” The words come out in a rush and my heartbeat picks up again. So far he’s been pretty patient about my second job but I’ve been dreading this conversation for weeks. “Besides, the food is gross, the bar is even worse and I don’t want you to see me like that!” I explain, rubbing my shaking hands together to fend off the cold.

  “Like what?” he raises an eyebrow, clearly unwilling to let the subject go.

  “I don’t know,” I puff out a frustrated breath. “Slinging beers in an environment that I don’t even really like where sometimes I have to act like a different person.” And even though I haven’t been entirely truthful with Shane about what I do my words now couldn’t be truer.

  “So quit,” he says matter-of-factly.

  “I need the money.”

  “I’ll give it to you,” he says, flashing me a dimpled simple.

  “Not a chance and end of discussion. Now can we go inside already? I’m freezing.”

  He looks me over once more and his dimples fade along with his smile. “I’m not surprised that you’re cold since you’re practically naked.”

  “It’s a skirt and a top,” I say as I swing open the door and step through.

  “It’s sexy as hell and it’s taking every ounce of my willpower not to strip you bare and bend you over the arm of the couch, but babe, I don’t ever want to see you in that outfit again. At least not outside the four walls of this apartment.”

  “You can’t tell me what to wear, Shane,” I say tiredly as I flop down on the sofa. Once seated I slide off my patent leather heels and I swear I can actually hear my feet sigh in relief.

  “Maybe I can’t but what I can do is show up at your workplace and stare down every jack off who looks at you a little too long.”

  ‘Fine!” I snap. “I told you it was a costume anyway. It was a one-time thing so please leave it alone. It was a busy night and I need some sleep!”

  I toss my purse on to the coffee table but the zipper isn’t fully closed and some of my take from the night spills out. Shane sees it right away and he walks over to pick up a handful of the twenty dollar bills. He stares at the wad of cash for a moment then looks back at me.

  “All this from a crappy sports bar with bad food?” he says, sounding suspicious.

  “It’s Friday night and like I said it was swamped. I just came off a ten hour shift so please stop with the third degree.”

  He opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out and instead he places the cash back down on the coffee table. “I guess they must tip well in the suburbs.”

  “They do,” I shrug and he sighs heavily.

  “Believe it or not I didn’t come here to fight with you, babe.”

  “Right now I don’t believe it,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. “So why are you here so late?”

  “I couldn’t sleep. I miss you.”

  And as exhausted and emotional as I am right now those three little words melt all my frustration away. It’s only been a few days since we last saw each other and we’ve been texting a lot but the time apart has felt more like weeks.

  “I’ve missed you too,” I admit. “I’m not used to feeling this way.”

  “What way?” he asks as he takes a seat beside me on the sofa.

  “It’s hard to explain.” I try to turn my face away but he captures my chin before I can.

  “Try.”

  “I guess it feels a little strange - this feeling like I need someone else to function right. I’m used to relying on myself.”

  “Maybe you rely on yourself too much,” he whispers as he rubs his calloused thumb across my bottom lip. “I have to tell you, babe, your walls are like skyscrapers,” he says, softening the blow of his words with a crooked smile.

  “I warned you that I wouldn’t be good at this,” I mumble and he laughs.

  “Well then aren’t you lucky that I’m such a great climber?” He leans forward to place a gentle kiss on my lips. “But seriously, the fact that you just admitted you missed me and that you need me is more than enough to keep me going. It’s more than I thought you were prepared to give,” he explains.

  “I want to give you everything,” I blurt out and I feel my face instantly flame. “I want to,” I repeat, this time more softly. “I’ve never wanted to do that with anyone I’ve dated before but you make me feel like it’s safe - like there’s something I’m missing out on by not taking a chance. It’s scary because I’ve never felt this way before and as much as I want to give you all of me I don’t know if I can.” As the words spill from my lips he guides me down so I’m lying on my back with him braced above me.

  “You can. I know you can. Don’t overthink this, Carmelina,” he rasps as he presses his soft lips against mine. “Let me stay with you for what’s left of tonight and tomorrow you can take me to meet your mom.”

  “You want to meet my mother?” I say hesitantly and he quiets me with another kiss.

  “I want to know everything about you,” he answers and while his words fill me with warmth along with it comes a healthy dose of trepidation knowing that m
y mother is only the tip of the iceberg. He says that he wants to know everything about me but how would he feel if he really knew where I was tonight? And what is going to happen when he eventually finds out? Whoever said that the truth shall set you free clearly never worked as a waitress at a strip bar.

  Chapter 15

  The morning air is crisp for July as I head outside to wait for Shane. The sky is a crystal clear blue and the sun is making its ascent. I hear the rumble of his truck before it comes flying around the corner and the sound makes me smile in spite of my nerves. He drives like he plays soccer - hard, fast and all out.

  As soon as he pulls up to the curb I grab the handle and launch myself into the cab which earns me a sideways look.

  “I would’ve helped you in, babe.” Ever the Texan Shane is pretty particular about opening doors.

  “I think I’m getting the hang of it,” I tease but my smile is forced. “We don’t have to do this you know,” I add and he gives me a puzzled look.

  “Do what? Meet your mom?”

  “I’m just saying…it’s a beautiful day out. Maybe go for a hike or check out the farmer’s market?” I try. He shakes his head as he takes a steaming cup of coffee from the cup holder and hands it to me. I slide my fingers around it and take a sip and I almost moan out loud when I taste the warm liquid.

  “You got me my favorite,” I say, momentarily distracted.

  “Caramel latte for my Caramel,” he grins, using Leigh’s nickname for me. “It suits you since your hair really does look like the caramel on top of a sundae.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

  “You seriously have no fucking idea how gorgeous you are. Truth is it makes me a little insane trying to keep my temper in check when other men look at you.”

  “You have an overactive imagination,” I scoff.

  “Babe, it happens all of the goddamn time. I think I deserve an award for how patient I’ve been.”

  “Poor baby,” I say, leaning across the cab to pat his shoulder. “But I really think you are being paranoid.”

  “I’m not paranoid,” he argues. “You’re the one that’s naïve,” he adds, flashing me his dimples as his warm brown eyes scan my face.