Conflict of Interest_A Mustang Prairie Romance

by N. D. Jackson

  “I don’t know Noel. She’s my very best friend and she is welcome to stay as long as she needs to.” She didn’t want to be so cold towards Noel because she knew how deeply Shellie cared for him, but her loyalty lie with Shellie, the girl who stood up for her when no one else would. Not to Noel Hampton who might possibly break that girl’s heart.

  “Hey Al I’m back! I got us --” A familiar voice rang out in the background. Noel knew that lyrical voice anywhere, even if it was raspy and laced with pain as though she had cried herself hoarse.

  “Gotta go. Bye,” she whispered into the phone before abruptly ending the call.

  He knew she was okay and after listening to Alexis he knew all he could do was wait for her to cool down and then work like hell to prove he was a man worth a second chance.

  ##

  Tuesday was the longest day Shellie experienced in recent memory. She arrived at work earlier than normal to finish off proposals from new clients, updated current clients and then did three different speaking engagements to stop the opening of KitchenMart. She was proud of the fact that she hadn’t thought about Noel or his strong arms and broad chest in days. No, her days were just fine. The nights, however, were when he invaded her thoughts and her dreams.

  Being away from him for so long was what she needed but it took all her strength to stay gone. She missed the smell of that exotic coffee blend he brewed every morning, sweet hell she missed his unforgettable scent of rosemary and mint and she missed those stolen glances of him wearing nothing but his expensive and body sculpting underpants. Noel would never be far from her thoughts, she knew that now and would somehow learn to live with it even if she couldn’t accept it. She called Alexis on her way home to let her know she wouldn’t be staying with her tonight.

  “Are you sure?” She was concerned but Alexis knew Shellie was making the right choice to face her feelings rather than hide from them again.

  “No, but I have to go home at some time Alexis.” The truth was she was terrified of going back home but it was time.

  “Ok sweetie, call me if you need anything.”

  “You know I will. Thanks for everything Al, seriously. Love you.”

  “No thanks necessary. Talk to you later,” she disconnected the call before her friend changed her mind.

  Shellie sat for a minute inside her small car that was all hers and stared at her seemingly unfamiliar home. Everything was still the same as she left it, but she was not the same. She noticed the few lights on inside, including the porch. Noel was home and probably waiting for her to come home as he likely had been for days. She took a few fortifying breaths before walking around the car to retrieve her bags from the trunk.

  Slowly she walked to the bottom of the porch stairs, heart racing so loud she was sure the entire neighborhood could hear it. She climbed the few stairs one by one, taking a moment to pause between each step. She stood outside her door for several minutes, checking on her bushes and flowers but mostly she was giving herself time before coming face to face with Noel. He called and texted more than twenty times in the past week but she was too angry and then too sad to respond. But it was late and she was tired and hungry so she held her breath, turned the knob and kicked off her shoes.

  The house smelled amazing and she closed her eyes to savor the aroma of fresh bread, herbs and some type of tomato sauce. Her stomach growled its appreciation. Dropping her bags in front of the sofa Shellie cut a quick path to the kitchen. Empty. That explains why he didn’t greet me at the door, she thought. Unless he’s already given up, she countered with a hint of sadness.

  There were fresh honey-wheat rolls on the table and a garden salad with a homemade dressing on the side. She noticed two wine goblets on the table and a red sitting in the aerator. Maybe he’s expecting company, she thought as she eyed the pot simmering on the stove. Answering the call of her empty stomach, she walked over to the stove and inhaled the scent of fresh tomatoes, basil, rosemary and olives in a beautiful mixture before tasting it for herself. ”The man may be an ass but sweet hell can he cook!” She took another spoon for good measure and placed the silver lid back on the pot.

  “You’re back!” Noel couldn’t stop the smile that quickly engulfed his face at the sight of Shellie. She looked tired but she still looked incredible. Her windblown hair signaled her long day and she was still wearing those damned boring dark clothes.

  Shellie froze near the stove, staring at Noel with her mouth still full of sauce. How could the man still look so good after a long day at work? It wasn’t fair. She knew she had come back too soon. Watching his strong frame move around the kitchen with ease was torture. Wearing nothing but pajama pants and wet hair, he looked as good as the food smelled. The honey patches sprinkling his chest and disappearing behind cotton pants made her voice catch in her throat. “Yep,” she said with false cheer. “I figured it was time.”

  He stared with bright eyes, the happiness and something else in his eyes, was obvious even to her. “I’m glad you are. I missed you.”

  She didn’t respond. She missed him more than she wanted to admit to herself but she wouldn’t dare say those words to him. He had a chance to have her around and he chose work. She crossed her arms over her chest and slowly made her way to the door.

  “Are you hungry? Dinner is just about ready and I was hoping we could ta--,” He began speaking faster, not stopping even to breathe.

  “I uh, I need to freshen up first. It’s been a long day.” She turned her gaze away and nearly ran from the kitchen.

  ##

  Twenty minutes later Shellie and Noel were sitting at the kitchen table, devouring salad and rolls in tense silence. She was content to finish her meal in silence and fall into bed but she knew a meal this delicious came at a price.

  “So how have you been, Shellie?” He looked at her, longing and sadness in his eyes that she couldn’t bear.

  “Busy,” she responded curtly. “You know all about that, don’t you Noel?”

  He bit his lip. Hard. The sting of her words left his skin tender. “I deserve that.” He refilled their glasses and continued. “I want to apologize to you Shellie. Sincerely. I should have called you but I was trying so hard to finish and get home to you so I didn’t call because I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t going to make it.” He paused and stared at her. “You are important to me Shellie and I know my actions don’t necessarily convey that, but you are. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to prove that to you.”

  Nodding slowly she took a few long sips from her glass. “Ok,” she said and began scooping pasta and drenching it with the thick sauce.

  “Ok? That’s all you have to say?” He sat his fork down and looked at her, expectation written all over his face.

  “What would you like me to say Noel? You have lots of pretty words for me and I appreciate them. But I’m not mad. Truly I’m not. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.” She resumed eating.

  He nodded, fully expecting her to fall back on her faithful excuses. “Right,” he said sarcastically, “because you let yourself believe a ‘guy like me’ could actually care for you.”

  She nodded. “Don’t be upset Noel, I’m just telling the truth. I went against my better judgment and I paid for it.” She tried to keep an icy demeanor but she just couldn’t. There was too much between them and despite that she did go against her better judgment and she did feel hurt right now, she would do it all over again if she thought she could trust him with her heart.

  “Shellie I’m sorry. But I am not the guy you want to pretend I am and you know it. Thinking I am allows you to keep your heart protected from the possibility of love.”

  “Love!” She scoffed evilly, “Is that what you’re claiming? You made me feel foolish and unimportant Noel so if that’s your version of love, you can keep it!” A fugitive tear escaped down her cheek and she turned her head to hide it from Noel. She would not allow him to see the power he held over her.

  A pain stabbed his heart watching her pre
tend to be strong and knowing that her pain was his fault. He stood up and walked around the table, kneeling down and placing his hands on her knees. The warmth and electricity that ran between them was only underscored by the tension. Turning her to face him, he grabbed her hands in his and looked up into her watery eyes. “Look at me Shellie. You are very important to me, more important than any woman I’ve ever met. You drive me crazy, you invade my thoughts and you remind me how to live. I love that about you.”

  She shuddered at his words. She wanted more than anything to believe them but knew that to do so meant risking the life she worked so hard to make for herself. Falling for those words now would mean devastation when he went back to New York. No, she would stay strong. Even if it killed her.

  “I know you can’t or won’t believe me and I can’t blame you. But I need you to know that I’ve never been in love so I can’t say for sure what I’m feeling about you. I know it’s more than wanting to sleep with you. It’s wanting to hear you laugh, to be the cause of your laughter, watching your face when you enjoy the little things like coffee in the morning or a good meal. You are so special to me Shellie and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you, if you let me.”

  His grip was firm on her hands, hanging on like her forgiveness was his salvation. The tears were running streaks down her clean face yet all she could do was stare down at him. Please don’t kiss me, please don’t kiss me.

  Noel pushed himself up until his eyes were staring directly into hers and he breathed in her wine warmed breath. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he said leaning in to her and slanting his mouth to take hers.

  She nodded silently, never tearing her gaze from him.

  “If you don’t want me to kiss you, you’ll have to stop me Shellie. I’m powerless when it comes to you.” He smiled weakly as her body slowly relaxed under his grasp.

  Mouth agape and stunned silent, Shellie nodded and waited for his kiss to envelope her. When it did the currents running through her body were enough to shock her back for a moment, startling them both. She looked up at him with all the hunger and passion and tension that had been building up since he first came to town and she knew she was his. Standing on the chair she was just sitting in, Shellie snaked her arms around his neck and gripped his waist with her legs and took the kiss she wanted.

  Noel groaned into her mouth, cupping her ass to hold her up, before turning and carrying her to the bedroom.

  ##

  Inside the bedroom Noel loosened his grip on her and allowed her to slide down the length of his body, never breaking the electric kiss sizzling between them. Still attached by the lips, he frantically pulled at her off-white silk camisole eager to feel the heat of her breasts against his skin. Shellie’s trembling hands glided lightly down his strong chest and over his hardened nipples before her fingertips grazed over the hard muscles of his abdomen.

  Noel was first to break the kiss, trailing down the nape of her neck peppering it with kisses and nipping at her gently with his teeth. Starting at her earlobe and working his way down, stopping to lavish attention on the sensitive spot below her ear, Noel kissed across her throat and up her neck to the other lobe. His hands were roaming all over her body, kneading her breasts and grazing his fingers over her waiting nipples, his arousal growing as she responded with moans and jagged breaths. His tongue massaged the hollow of her neck and he wrapped both arms around her waist pulling her in against his hardness and rubbing until the room was drenched in the scent of her arousal.

  Eager to taste more of him Shellie pulled him up to look in his jade eyes and took his mouth forcefully, plunging her tongue inside and tasting red wine, fresh tomatoes and his unique masculine scent. She arched her back into him when he shoved down her matching silk shorts and buried a finger deep insider her wet center, rubbing her swollen clit with his thumb. A small moan escaped as she ground into him begging him for more. “Noel,” she whispered into his mouth as the sensation of his fingers rushed over her.

  The sound of his name breathlessly on her lips was enough to nearly send him over the edge. He kissed down her neck and chest, circling one breast with his tongue while the other kneaded and flicked the other before switching. “Damn you taste so good,” he mumbled more to himself than to her. He kissed and licked between her breasts and down her belly while his hands ran up and down her back, massaging her ass and legs.

  The only sound in the room was their heavy breathing and his lips puckering over her body. Putting his mouth to the small strip of hair below her belly, he gently bit his way down to her fleshy lips nibbling up one lip and down the other, teasing her. “Noel, please,” she groaned as her fingers wove through his wavy hair. His response was one long lick of her folds, barely grazing the glistening pearl inside. “Is that what you want,” he asked, pausing to look up at her lust lidded eyes.

  “You know. It. Is.” She was panting heavier now, evidence of her deep arousal. “Please,” she pleaded as she ground her hips towards him. He relented with one more swipe of his tongue over her, this time punctuating it by sucking the nub peeking through her slick lips. “Oh!” She squealed as the lust began to overtake her.

  The squeal of pleasure did it for Noel. His cock was straining beneath his cotton pants but he wouldn’t focus on his own pleasure. Not yet anyway. Guiding her back until her legs hit the bed, he lowered her down onto the bed kissing her mouth and chest and all the way back down to the spot that was aching for him, calling his name. Cupping her cheeks with each hand, he knelt down until he was face to face with her sex he took a deep breath of her scent, eager to remember it forever. “Since you said please,” he taunted her playfully before burying his face between her legs.

  She found it impossible to catch her breath when he seemed to know exactly what she wanted so well. First with his tongue flat he simply lapped up her juices and creating more at the same time, stopping occasionally to suck her clit into his mouth in a slurping motion that cause her to cry out. Then his tongue transformed into a silken rod that drove her crazy as it drew the world’s tiniest circles over her sensitive nub before plunging inside her. “Oh Noel. Yes!” She screamed as her hips rose up to meet his enthusiastic mouth. She knew she was close to the edge when he dipped two fingers inside her and suckled her nub. Between the hard thrusts of his fingers and the hot wet swirls of delight on her pearl, she was sure she had never felt so good until the waves of orgasm began crashing over her one after the other. Convulsing and shuddering up into him the orgasm continued as she bucked into his waiting tongue and talented fingers. When the convulsions slowed, he took her nub in his mouth again this time sucking furiously until she felt the waves all over again and wrapped her legs around his neck burying him deep inside her. He answered her unspoken request and continued licking and sucking her moist center until one last shudder swept over her before going lax.

  Noel rose up over her, smiling with more than lust in his eyes. Licking his lips, he laid down next to her and propped himself over her resting his head on his hand. “How can one little woman taste so good?” He lowered his head to kiss her softly but to his surprise she deepened the kiss, sucking his tongue and licking his lips. She giggled, “you’re right. I do taste good.”

  With her breathing returning to normal all she could think about was that long hard steel pressing up against her thigh. “I’m sure you don’t taste so bad, either.” She looked boldly into his eyes biting her lip. “And I’m determined to find out!” And she did, kissing her way down his beautiful body starting with the rugged edge of his jawline then planting slow languorous kisses across his neck before turning her attention to the muscles threading across his chest. With her hands splayed on either side of his chest she playfully nipped and teased at his collarbone and nipples, slowly making her way down to kiss each muscle ripping through his abdomen. Spraying his stomach with lazy kisses and playful bites, he groaned when her nipples grazed his hardness and her breath whispered on the patch of hair above it.

 
“You’re killing me, Shellie.” It was all he could say because seconds later she was wrapping her luscious lips around the head, gliding her tongue along underneath. The gasp he released spurred her on taking him deeper until the tip touched the back of her throat. Relishing the taste of him she suctioned her lips back up his stiffness, releasing him from the warmth of her mouth to examine the beauty that was him. Pink and soft and solid like the rest of him, she clutched him at the base and licked all around him from base to tip until she left no stretch of skin untouched, untasted. “Mmmm, as good as I remember,” she laughed up to Noel who had his head tossed back in bliss, offering only a grunt of satisfaction in return.

  Turning her attention back to the matter at hand she bent back down and cupped him with both hands, kissing and licking him and enjoying his enjoyment. When he grasped her hair near her neck she took him all the way in her mouth swirling her tongue in circles around him and he thrust hard into her. “Goodness woman! You’re, ah, gonna, ah, kill me!”

  His laughter was strained but he gripped her shoulders, picking her up and throwing her on the bed in one swift movement. “I have to be in you. Now!” He leaned over the length of her body and kissed her, catching her gasp as he pushed into her slick slit. He pulled out slowly, so slowly Shellie thought she would pass out from the pleasure of it but wishing he would go faster to satisfy the craving burning through her. When he was nearly all the way out she stifled a cry when he pumped back into her hard and pulled out slowly again.

  Noel kept up the slow torture. In fast and hard then out slow and soft and steady. It felt good, so good she thought she would burst, willing him to go faster but relishing the fact that he was extending this long-awaited pleasure. “Please Noel. Faster,” she cried out, grasping his butt desperate to control the pace of their lovemaking.