by Freya Barker
"Clint, good to see you. This is Katie, yes. Katie, meet Clint Mason, my contractor. He also did the work on Gus and Emma's house. You'll be seeing a lot of him." The last he says looking at me from under his eyebrows, daring me to make nice. Very well, I’ll try my best. I hold out my hand and find it wrapped in what is probably the largest hand I've ever seen, but that doesn't stop me from squeezing the crap out of it. By the time Clint pulls it back, he’s shaking it out to restore blood flow. Good.
"Quite the grip you've got there, Katie," the moron points out.
"Must be all that knitting and crocheting, Clint," I tell him, a saccharine smile on my face.
The table bursts out laughing and Clint looks around a bit confused.
"I fucked up again, didn't I?"
Gus decides to come to his rescue and pats him on the arm, "It's ok. Better you find out now not to call Katie anyone's 'woman'. There are witnesses around, you're lucky. Katie’s one of my top notch operatives and could probably sweep the floor with you, wheelchair or not."
That right there makes me feel ten feet tall, but then Clint does it again.
"I apologize. Don't mean anything by it, little la... Holy shit, there I go again. Sonofabitchin' southern upbringing kills me every time. No wonder I can't keep a woman around long enough to eat my breakfast!"
Now I'm laughing along with the rest of the table, especially when Emma regales the story of when Clint first came to quote on the diner after they'd had a fire. Apparently, Arlene tore him to bits. I would've loved to have seen that.
The next half hour or so is spent sharing stories over coffee and discussing plans for the upcoming construction on the barn. When Caleb moves his chair back and announces it's time to get home, I'm surprised to see it's pitch dark outside and the diner is virtually empty, except for our table which has an expanded circle of chairs now.
"Oh my God, that was so much fun," Katie stretches her arms over her head and yawns.
We're having a drink behind the guesthouse, on the patio off the small kitchen, enjoying a rather mild spring night. Mild, but with enough of a chill to warrant the quilt, which Katie has herself wrapped in.
"Can't remember the last time I laughed that much, but I'm fried. Going to turn in if you don't mind."
She gets busy folding the quilt and wheels herself around to go inside, doing her best to avoid my eyes. Thankful for my long arms, I manage to grab hold of both her armrests before she makes it past my chair and twist her to face me.
Cupping her chin in my hand so I can look her in the eye, I steal a hard predatory kiss, my tongue taking a deep sweep of her warm mouth.
"That's better. I had a good time too, little one. I'll be there shortly, just going to lock up."
The slightly shocked look on Katie's face is not going to stop me from getting a little more intimately acquainted with that luscious body that's been tempting me for days now, and I suppress a chuckle when she skirts out of sight as fast as she can move her chair. I make quick work of the few glasses we dirtied by hand and leave them to dry before locking the doors and turning off the lights. By the time I get to the bedroom, Katie's managed to get in bed and is rolled up in a ball, perched on the far side, her back to the door and her wheelchair abandoned by her side of the bed. After a quick clean up in the bedroom and the addition of my clothes to a fast growing pile of laundry in the basket, I slide under the covers behind her. A quick intake of breath and total lack of movement lets me know my little one is still wide-awake, however much she may try to convince me otherwise.
"Not fooling me, gorgeous," I breathe against her neck as I fold my body around her rigid one. My arms snakes around her waist and up to cup her breast unapologetically and my leg pushes between hers, pulling up snuggly to press against her warm pussy. Fuck yeah. On the release of a shuddering breath, she lets the tension out of her body and relaxes against me, allowing herself to lean into my hand and ride my thigh.
"That's it, baby, just feel me."
I work my hand under her tank so I can feel her skin and quickly find my way back to pluck at her tight little nipple. My own raging need to sink into her is almost impossible to control as I lick and kiss the skin of her neck and shoulder.
I growl my disapproval when Katie starts squirming in my arms.
"I need to touch you too," she says as she manages to twist around and loop her arms around my shoulders, fingers trailing down my arms and tracing the tattoos on my biceps while studying them closely.
"Hi."
When her eyes meet mine I see a slight hesitance and before it has a chance to grab hold, I slide my mouth over hers, plunging my tongue deep and letting her feel my need for her. One of her hands skims up my shoulders and scrapes over my scalp, shooting electric impulses straight to my balls.
"Too many clothes."
I start pulling up her tank and before she’s even pulled it all the way off, I latch on to one of her soft plump breasts, sucking the pink tip deep in my mouth while my hand pinches the nipple on her other breast. Her back arches off the bed.
"Oh my God, Caleb. I won't last..."
"Yes you will. I need to taste you, little one. Scoot up."
In one tug, I have her shorts and underwear off and flung over the side of the bed. The sight of her softly rounded body sprawled on my bed gives me pause. Flushed cheeks, lips plump and slightly open, breasts moving in tandem with her rapid breaths. Her one leg open to the side to expose the deep red color of her aroused swollen lips, wet with her juices. I know I'm staring, but fuck she's beautiful. When she starts grabbing for the sheet to cover herself, I snap out of it.
"Oh no you don't," I yank the sheet out of her hand and pull it out of her reach, "You steal my words and take my breath, Yázhí. You're that beautiful."
Lowering myself on top of her, I kiss her softly before whispering against her lips, "perfect."
Slowly nipping and tasting my way down her body, I insert myself between her legs and raise my eyes to hers.
"Please, Caleb."
Using the tip of my nose to tease the hood of her clit, I push the soft dark curls aside before using the tip of my tongue to get my first taste of heaven. Christ she's delicious. With my thumbs I spread her open wide so the flat of my tongue can reach every part of her. Licking and sucking, I pay attention to her full pussy lips, lightly tugging and listen to every moaned encouragement from her mouth. When I finally enter her with my fingers and pull that little bundle of nerves in my mouth, her hands claw the back of my head and she bucks against my mouth.
"Fuck! I'm coming, Caleb."
"You'll wait for me," I say firmly when I pull back, drawing a whimper from her lips. It takes me two seconds to rip down my boxers and grab a condom from the nightstand before I’m back between her legs, pulling her knees up against my hips, my cock lined up at her soaking wet entrance. Fuck, I have to go slow or I'm done before I get started.
My mouth on hers, I slowly push my way inside her.
"Christ, little one. You’re so tight. You ok?" I back up to look at her. Her fingers dig in my ass and pull me back inside her.
"Ahh, don't fucking stop now, Caleb. Don't you dare stop. I need you to fuck me, please..."
When I see nothing but need in her eyes, I let mine take over and without another thought, I pummel myself inside her, spreading her legs wide, grunting my effort as my release comes barrelling at me like a tidal wave.
"Fuck me, Katie, here I come. You with me?"
"God yes, Caleb, yes. Ahh."
The first ripples of her orgasm triggers my own. A surge down my spine, my asshole puckers and balls pull tight before the strings of semen jet from my cock, causing my body to buck and jerk.
"Jesus," I pant, still twitching, burying my face in Katie's neck, trying to catch my breath. "Long time coming, sweets. Long fucking time coming."
We lie there for a while slowly stroking each other's skin, breathing each other in. Finally I roll myself off Katie's body, earning a sigh from her.
"Wow," she mouths, making me smile.
"Yeah. My thoughts exactly."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"She's nice. I like her. It's just odd she seems to know all about me and I'd never even met her."
Caleb shrugs his shoulders, "Not that surprising really, considering she was the attending physician at the ER at the time you got hurt, and you may have gone straight to Durango, but Emma ended up here. Besides, she's become pretty friendly with Emma and Arlene. Those two talk."
"No shit," I snicker.
So between Dr. Naomi Waters, who offered to monitor my progress and liaise with the neurologists in Durango, and Kendra Schmitt, who is going to be my physiotherapist starting Monday, it appears I'm all set. Hmm, haven't thought about 'recovering' in a few days now and it's been kinda nice, but I know I have to keep going.
"Ready for the shooting range?"
"Fuck yes! I can't wait to hold my baby again," I fist pump with a huge smile on my face.
Chuckling, Caleb reaches over the centre console and brushes his knuckles over my cheek. He brought over my beloved M&P Shield today, which had been stored in Gus' safe all this time. Damn it'll feel good to wrap my hand around it.
"You're lucky they have an official shooting range here in Macon where we can do some decent target practice. They even have a few courses set up we could try at some point, although to be honest, I wouldn't even know where to start on how to run those properly when you need two hands to manoeuvre the wheelchair."
I smile, and rest my head back against the seat letting the changes of the last few days play out in my head, and I've gotta say, I feel more alive than I have in a long time. Changes have come at me fast and furious, but truth be told, life had been nauseatingly boring and predictable since I landed in a wheelchair. I had started to think that's the way it was going to be. Apparently not. So far with Caleb it's been anything but boring. He doesn't seem to be affected too much by the wheelchair, and actually makes me forget it's there half the time as well. I sure as hell don’t need a wheelchair in bed, and Caleb doesn't need help of any kind in that department. Fuck me, but that man has skills. When I woke up this morning, my body was still tingling and throbbing from the workout he put it through last night.
For someone usually on the cautious side, I sure am letting my hair down. It's fast, but it doesn't really feel like it. Maybe 'cause we've known each other for a few years, or maybe because he's been explicitly clear on where he stands and what he wants, which really minimizes risk for me. Not like I'm the one putting my heart on the line, or am I?
"What are you thinking so hard on?" Caleb gaze hits me before keeping an eye on the road ahead once more.
I snicker, "Oh, just everything. About a year's worth of excitement in two days and some life-altering events thrown in for good measure."
"Life-altering. That good, huh?" he says with a smile. That earns him a smack in the shoulder.
"Smartass."
"You like my ass."
"God help me, I do."
"Don't need any help there, sweets. It's all yours if you'll have it."
The smile on Caleb's face emphasizes the crinkles by his eyes. I love those crinkles. I’ve seen more of them in the last few days than I have in all the time I've known him. Instead of responding, I take my time studying his profile as he continues to watch the road, smile still plastered on his face. He really is a beautiful man; normally quite stern looking, but when he smiles, his eyes light up his entire face. An ageless face―one I could easily stare at for years to come. Holy crud, what am I thinking?
"Looking for warts?"
"What... Sorry?"
"Are you looking for warts? Trying to find flaws? I can feel your eyes scanning me, like you're trying to decide if I'm worth keeping around."
Turning into a parking lot of what I assume to be the shooting range, he pulls into a parking spot, turns off the engine and twists around in his seat so he's facing me. The question lingers in his eyes, laced with what might be some uncertainty. I quickly unclip my belt and turn to him, putting both my hands on his face.
"Not. Was simply contemplating how gorgeous you are, especially when you seem happy."
His eyes darken, his hand grab the back of my head and pulls me into a heart-stopping kiss. When his lips finally pull back and I can catch my breath, he whispers, "I don't just seem happy, I am happy, and I can't remember the last time I've felt this way."
I can't hold his intense eyes any longer and plant my face in his chest, struggling to swallow down the huge lump stuck in my throat. There is nothing to say to that, so I just let myself feel.
"Oh my God! Did you see that? Nailed that sucker right in the gonads."
Katie has been tirelessly shooting clip after clip for the past half hour, getting more hyped up by the minute.
"Yes, I see, and it would surely maim a man for life, but wouldn't necessarily stop him from shooting back at you. Come on, little one. You need to adjust your trajectory now that you're shooting from a sitting position. Different ballgame."
"Bahahaha... You're funny. I thought you wanted me to stay away from the genital area. I'll have to remember that."
The little tease. I lean down and grumble in her ear, "Just remember I can exercise great control, sweets."
From the way she squirms in her seat, I can tell she knows exactly what I'm referring to.
Just as I'm about to give her some pointers, my phone rings. I step outside so I can take the call, indicating to Katie where I'm going.
"Gus, what's up?"
"Change of plans. There were two meth-related deaths last night in Albuquerque and the Feds are cranking up the heat. They want this pipeline closed and closed fast. This was a deal gone bad, and one of the casualties was a member of the Klesh; it wasn’t your brother," he adds quickly when he hears my sharp hiss, "but this might be a good time to get some decent intel. Tongues will be wagging after losing one of their own."
"Alright," I hesitate, looking through the glass in the door to where Katie is emptying yet another clip into the target's crotch. "When do you want me to go?"
"As soon as you can get on the road. Neil is on his way here already; I got hold of him before you. He'll stick around Katie. You sorted your shit with her?"
"Not that it's any of your goddamn business, but we're good for now, so yes." I answer reluctantly. What's between Katie and I is just that; between us.
"Don't need to know anything but that, jackass. Keep your panties on. Oh, and I'm fucking thrilled for you. Now get your ass in gear." Gus is chuckling when he hangs up. Dick.
"I'll be fine, really."
Katie is doing her best to convince me she's not disappointed, but her smile is strained and I'm not thrilled myself to lose out on another night with her in my arms.
"Sooner I can get this job done, the sooner I'll get back. Would you make sure Clint gets the keys to the padlock at the barn so he can get going on Monday? I'll hurry and program all the pertinent numbers in your phone when we get home, and I’d also wanted to talk to you about transportation. I have a small SUV lined up, a rental, with a swivel seat and a manual gearbox, so you can start getting yourself around. The chair will slide back once you're seated so you can easily pull in your folded wheelchair beside you in the passenger space. It's been specially adapted, but had to be ordered from Freewheel mobility and isn't going to be here until Monday. You can get Neil or Emma to take you to Cortez to pick it up. I'll leave the number for you."
When Katie doesn't respond, I check to find big tears rolling down her face. I reach over and wipe at them with the back of my hand.
"Hey, what's with the tears?"
"You got me a car," she sobs, tears coming in earnest now.
"Yázhí, I want you to be able to get around. I know Neil is going to be there to keep an eye on things, but you need your independence."
"See? How am I gonna keep myself from falling for you when you do shit like this, Caleb? It's impossible."
"First of all, I hate that we’re needing to have this conversation on the road, and I can't have you in my lap where you should be when you're crying and we're talking about stuff like this. Second, why the fuck do you want to keep from falling for me? I'm already out for the count, Katie. Balls to the wall, remember?"
Frustrated out of my mind, I pull over on the side of the road, just outside of Cedar Tree and make quick work of getting her in my lap anyway.
"There. Now I feel slightly better. Talk to me," I urge her with one arm anchoring her to me and a hand in her short hair, pressing her head in my neck where she is getting my shirt soaked.
"I... I just don't know that I'm worth all this," she mutters.
"Worth to whom? To me? When all I could call you was my friend, you were invaluable. Now that you've let me become more, you’re worth everything and anything. This is what friends do, what family does; what lovers do. I get as much of a kick out of giving you some of the tools you need to grab hold of your freedom as you probably do."
"Not used to kindness," her mumbled voice comes from somewhere in my neck.
"I get that, and I'm sorry you never had that, but you better work on a thicker skin if kindness is all it takes to pierce it, 'cause I have a feeling there's a lot more coming when you stick around Cedar Tree."
She sits up and wipes her face with her sleeves while I grab a box of tissues from the glove compartment and hand them to her.
"I'm done now."
"That's good, little one," I rumble, sweeping a few stray hair off her face.
"What color?"
"Excuse me?"
"The car you got me; what color is it?"
I throw my head back and laugh out loud. "You're such a girl."
"Am not."
"Oh, you are most definitely a girl," I chuckle as I lift her back in her seat, before getting back on the road, happy with the return of the light-hearted banter.
"He got you a car?"