"That's right," said Steel. "Drew took me over to say hi. Figured I'd be neighborly."
He looked around for Drew, but the boy had disappeared quietly inside the house, and Steel, feeling a little awkward, was left alone with Daniel. Daniel gestured to a chair, his tone friendly.
"So," said Daniel. "I guess you know all about the Tuckers?"
"Been hearing about them nonstop since I came here," Steel admitted. "Carson's a cousin of mine. But no, I don't know too much."
"I figured he'd fill you in if you was gonna stay in his house," said Daniel.
Steel cleared his throat. He had thought about that as well.
"So. What are you studying?"
Daniel hoisted up the textbook so Steel could read the title.
"Chemistry?"
"I want to be a doctor," said Daniel, with a slightly defensive edge to his voice. Steel wondered how often Daniel had had to defend his dream.
"That's great."
"Yup." Daniel shut the textbook. "So I heard you met Aja?"
Steel nodded.
"She's amazing," said Daniel.
Steel nodded again. He thought so too. "She thinks highly of you boys."
"I know," said Daniel. "We want the best for her. It's tough out here. I should work to help her, but she wants me to study."
He looked down at his textbook thoughtfully. "Without her I never would have made it this far in school."
"You're lucky to have her," Steel told him.
"B'lieve me, I know," said Daniel. "Do you come from a big family?"
"I was an only kid, so no," said Steel.
"An only kid. Is that why you joined the army?"
"What do you mean?" Steel wondered if everyone in this damn town knew his whole life story. Jesus.
Daniel tapped the cover of his textbook thoughtfully. "Looking for a brotherhood you never had. You know, I thought about joining. Hell, if I don't get into college, I think I might have to."
"I didn't join for that," said Steel. That's all he would say on the subject; no one had to know his reasoning. In truth he had enlisted because he was young and foolhardy, and the life had swept him away easily.
A breeze swayed the branches of the dead maple; the bottles clicked together in a ghostly chorus.
Little Drew came out of the house, sipping a can of iced tea. He took a seat on the steps. Daniel looked out at the yard thoughtfully. Grandpa Buck was still sitting under the tree. He looked so peaceful-perhaps he was sleeping.
"Did Aja tell you why Grandpa hates the Tuckers?" said Daniel suddenly.
Steel's eyebrows raised at this new turn of conversation. "No. She didn't."
"My grandma used to work for them, is what Gramps told me," said Daniel. "Since she was a little girl. There used to be more of our people in Boyd, back in the day."
He pushed the glasses up his nose. "They paid her next to nothin. Fed her scraps. Most days she wasn't allowed to leave the house."
"Christ," said Steel, disgusted. He could hardly believe these people were his own blood relatives.
"It was like slavery times back then," said Daniel. "No one knew what was goin' on."
“Right.”
"Anyway, some people said Grandma had borne a Tucker bastard up there on the ranch, but if she did, no one knows what happened to it. I have my theories." He shook his head.
"How did she meet your granddad?"
"Back before he came to Boyd, Grandpa was a fighter in California - knife dueling, he told me. Ain’t that wild? He came East to get away from it, started workin’ as gardener for the Tuckers.He was the gardener. They fell in love and escaped. Came back to Boyd after John Tucker died, with my mom. Grandma died a year later. We never met her. There was a rumor that Ms. Fiona wanted to leave our family something in the will. A gift, to say sorry or something. Ms. Fiona wasn't a bad lady. She was really Christian, y'see. She wanted to clear her debts before she died."
"So what happened?"
"Don’t know," Daniel said matter-of-factly . “We never got a red cent from the Tuckers. It was probably just a story, anyway. Probably not true.”
Steel looked out at the peaceful old man. He wondered if that story was true, or just the delusions of an embittered old man, fed to his surviving grandchildren, which they believed because it was some sliver of hope that their situation could have a happy ending.
"Well," said Steel. He really had no idea what to say.
"I just want you to know, we don't blame you because you're a Tucker," said Daniel. "But there's bad blood there. And we got our reasons."
"I understand," said Steel. Daniel nodded, and went back to his Chemistry book.
***
At 2 o'clock that same day, Aja got off her shift at the grocer's. Her next shift started at seven. It was waitressing at Joe Blow's, which was clear across town- an hour walk, on a good day. She was just sitting and resting her legs outside Jerry's store when a familiar red pickup truck pulled into the parking lot.
Steel Gray leaned out the window. As usual, his curly blonde hair was tumbling all over his face, and his eyes were bright and mischievous. Aja had always thought military men were supposed to be serious. She remembered her Uncle Jack had been in the Navy. The few times she'd seen him, he'd never so much as smiled.
Now here came Steel Gray, with his shit-eating grin, his big hands slapping the side of his truck to some tune only he could hear.
"You need a ride somewhere?" he called.
Aja was about to tell him no, she was fine, but something made her pause. It was her heart, skipping in her chest, and the sudden warmth spreading between her thighs at the sight of his strong, muscular frame stepping out of the truck to open the door for her.
"Alright," she said weakly.
His truck smelled like sage and rosemary. To her surprise there were big bushels of dried herbs in front of the passenger's seat, she had to open her legs to fit herself in. He didn't start the car yet, but leaned back, his hand resting on her headrest, watching her with those glacier-blue eyes.
"How are you, Miss Robinson?"
"Doing alright, and yourself?" she said politely. Every nerve in her body was humming at being so close to him.
"I'm alright. Was just up by your place. Came to say hi to the boys. Talked with Daniel a little."
"Oh, alright," she said. She racked her brains for something to add. Why did he make her feel this way- so nervous?
"You nervous?" he asked her, starting the car. She looked at him quickly. He wasn't laughing at her, or mocking. He just looked curious. Curious and hungry.
"Um, I need to go to Joe Blow's . It's across town."
He stared at her.
"It's just the name," Aja said, feeling an urge to giggle. "Don't look at me. I didn't come up with it."
Steel laughed. "Alright, Miss Aja. Miss Aja Robinson, working at Joe Blow's."
They drove across town.
"Your grandfather gave me these," said Steel, pointing his thumb at to the bundles of herbs between her feet. "Turns out he's got himself a little garden."
"Oh," said Aja. "The one out back? Mmm. They smell delicious."
Steel had Aja direct him across town. They parked in front of Joe Blow's. It was a small, pub-like looking restaurant, much like the bar where Steel and Aja had first met. Steel was surprised to see Aja break out in a huge, beautiful smile. She laughed to herself.
"You all right?" he asked.
"I can't believe Drew went over to your place this morning. He must really like you. He's usually so shy around strangers."
Steel shrugged. "He's a nice kid."
Aja nodded. "Yeah."
She made no move to get out of the truck. Steel noticed the way she pulled her full lower lip between her teeth, nibbling it in thought. He wanted to give it a nibble himself...
“You know,” said Steel thoughtfully, reaching out to tug one of the kinky curls that sprung out the back of her scalp. “I’ve never seen you out of your uniform.”
&
nbsp; Aja shivered at his touch; his fingers reached to stroke the back of her neck, protectively, but with a firm authority she found both intimidating and irresistible. Steel turned sideways in his seat to look at her.
“You like it when I touch you?” His thumb stroked her full lower lip. His voice was soft and silken, like velvet. He moved his hand to cup the soft skin around her throat. Aja was plump, just like Steel liked his women, with a feminine roundness to her that drove him absolutely crazy.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I like it.”
Her big, beautiful brown eyes turned to his. Steel felt his heart jump. They were almond-shaped, with long dark lashes.
“When’s your shift?” he asked, still speaking softly.
“Not for a while. At five.”
He nodded. His hand dropped; he stroked the full curve of her breast with the backs of his fingers, circling her nipple through the fabric of her shirt until it stiffened and peaked under his touch.
“Do you want to go somewhere?”
She tore her gaze from his, looking out into the parking lot. Her breath hitched. “Yeah.”
They didn’t drive very long. Steel had already risen and hardened at the sight of her climbing into his car; it took him everything he had not to pull her over his lap and have his way with her right there in front of Blow’s. Patience, he told himself. It wouldn’t do to lose his composure and give the townspeople any more reason to talk.
They drove to a small pasture off the Shenandoah road, behind the curve of the small hill. Anyone walking along the dirt path could see them, but Steel didn’t care.
“Kiss me,” he commanded.
Aja blinked those luxurious lashes, her gaze searching. She leaned over and treated him to a generous view of her breasts, and the soft, teasing pull of her lips. He cupped her round face in his hands. God.
How did he want her? Turned over his knee, prying apart her pussy lips to sample her sweet cream with his fingers? On her knees, taking him in her mouth? Or turned around against the hood of the truck, that generous ass jiggling along the length of his cock? Their kiss deepened; Steel found that he didn’t care how the hundred different fantasies he had played out in his mind would turn out in real life. All that mattered was Aja’s panting as he worked the work shirt off her shoulders and unclasped the lacy white bra beneath; her full, brown-tipped breasts. They were generous and plump, with beautiful, perky nipples that he took immediately in his mouth as he pulled her over his lap. She buried her face in his neck as he suckled; he worked her skirt up.
“You smell amazing,” he groaned through a mouthful of her breast. His fingers reached around to stroke the folds of her pussy through her lacy, tiny panties.
“Mmm,” Aja whimpered. He was drawing wetness out of her, pushing her panties into the fold of her pussy, rubbing her clit through the cotton and lace. It was as if he simply enjoyed touching her, as if he wanted to get his own pleasure through making her squirm in ecstasy in his lap. Aja felt dwarfed by Steel. Even more so when he guided her hand to the hard bulge in his pants. She smothered a gasp. Even through the thick fabric of his denim she could tell he was a man of size.
His fingers delved into her pussy. He worked them in and out, drawing wetness all over her thighs. One arm clenched around her waist to keep her in place as his fingers fucked her; she writhed and moaned his name. “Oh, my god,” she whimpered. She found herself pushing back on his fingers, wanting more inside her. She wanted to be filled with him, she wanted him to ravish her with more than his hands until she couldn’t stand, until her pussy was flooded with his cum…
“Easy, babygirl,” he whispered. “You’ll get more. Soon.”
Aja came hard, her whole body shaking, and he withdrew his fingers and pointed to the back seat.
“Take everything off.”
She complied. He made no move to remove his own clothes. His gaze followed her hungrily as she doffed the bra completely, slid off the bunched-up skirt and lace panties, until she was completely naked in front of him. His gaze roved hungrily all over her. Hell, she was beautiful. Her eyes were dark with desire for him, but touched with a note of hesitation- she was still innocent, he realized. He would enjoy corrupting her, showing her how he wanted her to pleasure him- and then how to get pleasure for herself.
He got in back with her and spread open her legs.
“Touch your pussy,” he instructed softly. “Touch it for me, Aja.”
Aja began to rub her pussy, using the wetness of her first orgasm to stroke her clit.
“Do you touch your pussy? When you’re in bed?” whispered Steel.
Aja shook her head. “N-no..not...uhhn..not really…”
“From now on you will. Every day. You’re gonna touch it and think of me fucking you.”
Aja moaned. Steel withdrew his cock from its constraints, placing it at the entrance to her moist love tunnel. He stroked it up and down, over her throbbing clit, coating the head with her juices.
Aja’s eyes widened at his size. He was enormous.
“Uhn...wait.. You won’t fit.”
He shushed her. “Don't worry about that, baby. Keep playing with your pussy until I tell you to stop.”
Aja’s fingers worked faster over her clit. Her dusky thighs trembled. She was mewling and whimpering, trying to angle herself to fit him inside her, even as she worried that he was too big to fit. He kept his dick firmly away. She wouldn’t get the full pleasure his cock could give her until she made herself cum. There was nothing more Steel loved than a woman at the height of pleasure, and he loved to watch them fuck themselves to that point. He loved the way their faces looked, he loved their beautiful cries and moans. And Aja had never looked more beautiful.
“Put two fingers in your pussy,” he ordered softly. She complied. He relished how submissive she was, and how the apprehension in her face gave way to a catlike, vulgar pleasure. He knew she would turn into a freak under his command, and he loved her even more for it. She worked the two fingers in and out of her pussy until they were coated in creamy juices.
“Taste yourself,” he whispered. She put the fingers in her mouth and sucked the juices off them. Steel’s imagination went wild. He wondered how good she would be at sucking his dick. Would she be able to take all of him down her throat at once? Or would she need practice- he wasn’t a small man. Still, Aja was made of surprises.
Well, they had until 5 o’ clock to find out. Cumming down Aja’s throat appealed to him greatly, but he needed to feel her pussy first.
As Aja neared orgasm, Steel began to work the head of his cock inside her. She was tight as any virgin. He threw back his head and fought for control. The urge to fill her up with his cum was overwhelming, risk be damned. She was wet, wet and tight and hot. He felt her pussy drawing him in. Her pussy wanted her wedged on the full length of his dick, it wanted him to fuck into her tightness with abandon until he lost himself. He wanted the same thing.
Fuck it. Steel drove his full length into her all the way to the base. Aja shrieked in pleasure; he began to pump in and out of her pussy rhythmically, enjoying the way her face contorted in sighs and squeals of pleasure. She was so beautiful, and right now she was his pretty, chocolate toy to use however he wanted… and Steel wanted her to feel good. He wanted her to cum on his dick again and again.
Their mingled pants and gasps steamed up the windows of the truck. Steel worked his cock in and out of her. He decided he wanted to see her on her knees. Ravishing her from behind was a fantasy he’d entertained since the moment he saw her generous ass twitching behind the bar as she hurried to make drinks.
“Turn around,” he told her through his teeth. Just the sight of her pussy taking the full length of his dick was enough to make him throb so painfully it almost hurt.
“Yes,” she moaned obediently. He had a thumb on her clit and rubbed it as he pumped into her. Her sizeable tits bounced and splayed over her chest from the percussion of his strokes. She made no move to turn until he withdrew his whol
e length from her pussy. She’d have to learn to listen.
“ ‘Yes, sir,’” he corrected.
“Yes, sir,” Aja moaned. She turned over, presenting her ass and pussy to him. Her folds were slick with her desire. Running a finger inside her to see, he could tell how his cock had stretched her, and couldn’t wait to do it again. He loved how she accepted his authority without question. She was so sweet and beautiful. He raised his hand and brought it down over her plump ass. She shrieked, but didn’t move away.
“That’s for not obeying me,” he said. “Come here beautiful. Come get this dick.”
Ride A Cowboy: Romance Novel Page 5