by J. M. Madden
Alessandro smiled at her gently, resting a hand on her naked arm.
“I think, my dear Violet, we just saw the end of an era.”
Violet knew she had a stupid look on her face but she couldn’t help it. “What do you mean?”
Alessandro grasped her rough, work-worn hand. His fingers began running over her knuckles soothingly. Violet felt the tension in her spine relax. She quit tugging on the sheet, which he was sitting on anyway. “I mean,” he continued, “I think the mighty oak has been felled by a flower.”
Leaning forward, he kissed her gently on the lips, then began dressing. Violet sat up, clutching the sheet to her breasts. Pride kept her mouth shut as she watched him get ready to leave her. When he stood in front of her, ready to go, she couldn’t help but look up at him pleadingly. The past two hours had been the best of her adult life. How could she not want to prolong it?
“Ach, Bella!” Alessandro clasped her face in his hands, kissing her soundly, openmouthed. Violet could not help but respond. “You make my heart warm. It is hard to leave, but leave I must. Rory will not hesitate to leave me to my own devices to get home.”
Violet pushed herself up on her knees, holding his mouth to hers. “I will take you home,” she promised.
A quick grin split his face. “I know you would, tesora bella, but Rory would never forgive me. I must go.”
Violet felt her throat tighten and her eyes well with tears. Why was it when she finally found a piece of happiness it was torn away from her? “Will I see you again?”
Alessandro smiled broadly, displaying his beautiful smile. “Absolutely,” he promised.
Chapter Three
‡
SIX WEEKS LATER Violet found herself once again staring out the window, looking for a particular shiny black sports car with two ultra-handsome men inside to pull into the lot.
“You okay, Miss V?”
Harold, the ancient diesel mechanic grinned at her, shifting his chaw to the other side of his mouth.
Smiling lightly, she straightened the windshield wiper display next to the window. “I’m fine Harold. Why do you ask?”
“Well,” he drawled out the word as only a true Kentuckian could. “You been straightenin’ that display for weeks now. There somethin’ I need to know ‘bout them wipers?”
Mortified color stained her face and neck. Violet turned away from his knowing, laughing eyes. Harold had been adopted as family many, many years ago, well before her time. He had seen her struggle through braces and pimples and a very few boys. She didn’t think there was anything Harold didn’t know about her family. The fact that he could embarrass her that badly just went to show how out of sorts she was.
“I’m fine Harold. Just…looking out the window.”
“Like you been doin’ past several weeks. What you looking for, girl?”
Shaking her head, Violet refused to answer. She had no answer.
It seemed like her life was slipping out of her control. Scenes of the three of them in her bed replayed in her mind almost constantly. She couldn’t even count how many times she had had to slip upstairs to change her soaked panties, just from a quick memory or thought. It was aggravating. Several times she had chased men down on the street, thinking they looked familiar, only to be disappointed when she finally saw their faces. Even when her vibrator died and had to be replaced she found herself looking for toys that reminded her of the men. Duracell stock had to be through the roof right now with all the batteries she was buying.
Hell, she didn’t know their names or where they were from or anything. She didn’t even know why they had stopped at the shop that day. The only thing she did know was that they had quenched her thirst that day. And made her fantasy come true.
Shaking her head in frustration, she stepped away from the window and headed over to the computer. As she passed the counter she couldn’t help but run her hand over the spot where Rory had leaned and she had gone down on him. Her mouth literally watered at the thought. One memory led to another and she was once again heading upstairs.
SWEAT POURED INTO Rory’s eyes as he completed yet another rep. He couldn’t even remember how many he had done but it was still not enough. Visions of Violet’s dark wavy hair and sweet green eyes taunted him. Guilt ate at his stomach constantly because he felt he wasn’t giving Alessandro the attention he needed.
Then, to add to his guilt, his partner always seemed to know when he was thinking of her because he had massive boners to deal with. Lovingly, passionately Alessandro would alleviate his fever and not say anything about the fact that their more frequent interludes were easing him less and less.
Several times, Alessandro had broached the subject of Violet but Rory had put him off. He did not want to talk about the woman. Or the troubles finding her had caused.
It had been a whim to go through the little backwoods town. For years something had been pulling him in that direction but he couldn’t figure out exactly what. It had just been a light tug on his heart whenever he was relaxed or especially tired. Occasionally, he would find himself staring out his St. Louis high-rise office window, toward the east. Toward her, he realized now.
He paused in his reps as a chilling thought went through him.
Had his father been right?
The elder had noticed his discontent once and commented on it, warning him that it was the tug of one soul on another. One mate searching for the other. Rory had blown him off but had secretly wondered if it was somebody in Ireland, their old home. By that time he had found Alessandro and forged a relationship with him. The pull had not been enough to jeopardize that relationship.
His father had given him that sly, taunting smile he had always hated.
Muscles quivering, he lifted the bar one last time and rested it in the cups. Sitting up, he snatched the towel off the floor, mopping his face. When he looked up Alessandro stood above him, smiling gently.
“I wish, caro, you would tell me why you are so—” he waved a hand, looking for a word, “restless. Unhappy.”
Planting his elbows on his knees, Rory rubbed his head with the towel. Alessandro sat on the weight bench beside him, leaning into his side.
“It is Violet, yes? Tell me why she shakes you so. We have had other women together. Why is she different?”
Rory’s gut clenched in agony. Alessandro had never asked him straight out what the situation was, just made vague references. Should Rory tell him the truth and hope he understood? Goddess, what if he decided to give up on their relationship? And walked out on him? Ridiculous tears scalded his eyes and he looked away from his lover.
“Ah, Rory, you hurt my heart. Ti amo.”
Reaching across his shoulder Alessandro clasped Rory to his side, rubbing his back. Rory couldn’t help but remember the way Violet had done something similar weeks ago. His skin had soaked up the touch as if it had been waiting for her fingers alone. Even now he could feel the roughness of her fingers, so totally opposite of what he expected.
With a curse he felt that familiar heaviness settling into his lower half.
Alessandro chuckled beside him and Rory knew he had been caught. “So even when I mention her name, you become aroused, no? Want to talk about this, caro?”
No, he bloody did not want to talk about it, he thought, standing and putting some distance between them. Striding to the bathroom he stripped off his shirt, tossing it away. He paused long enough at the doorway to step out of his shorts and underwear, giving Alessandro a side profile of his erect cock.
“I’m going to the shower. You joining me?” he demanded.
His lover smiled, recognizing the challenge issued. It was one of the many things Rory absolutely loved about Alessandro. The randy Italian was ready for anything, anytime, anywhere.
“Of course, caro.”
But Rory could see that his distraction hadn’t fooled his partner. Alessandro knew that he was avoiding the subject of Violet but he would play along. At least for now. Ripping off his own
shirt, he followed Rory into the bath.
Rory stepped into the still chilly water, hoping it would calm him somewhat. It only seemed to make the heat of his cock that much more pronounced than the rest of his body. Fisting himself, he gave in. There was no way he could put off blowing his wad anymore.
Alessandro stepped into the extra large stall behind him, gripping his hip and rubbing his own fully erect cock into Rory’s ass cheeks. Rory had planned to pound Alessandro, but the reverse was actually appealing to him today.
“I want you to fuck me, ‘Sandro. I want you to make me forget her.”
Rory snapped his mouth shut at the slip. Goddess, he couldn’t do anything right.
Alessandro reached around him for the shower gel. The familiar fragrance intensified in the heat of the shower as he began massaging it into Rory’s back, then down his flanks, slipping lightly between the crack of his ass. Rory tightened automatically, then forced himself to release. Being the bottom was not his usual cup of tea, but maybe he had been falling into a rut. Maybe that was why Violet was such a draw. She was different that what he was used to. Perhaps Alessandro topping him would be enough to slake his merciless thirst.
Rory gasped as his partner slicked between his legs to fondle his balls. They were tight with tension, hanging close to his body. Alessandro retreated slowly, then reached his hands around to Rory’s front. He rubbed more gel into his chest hair and around the nipples on his pecs. Squeezing lightly, he massaged the muscles, which were quivering lightly. Rory wasn’t sure if it was because of what was going on or the exercise, but the feel of Alessandro rubbing him was wonderful. He began rubbing down Rory’s abs, which had been worked mercilessly for Alessandro’s delight. Even now his agile fingers lingered over the cobbled contours, inflaming Rory even more. His cock dripped with his desire but Alessandro denied him his touch.
Rory shifted his hips, trying to make his partner touch his dick, but it didn’t work. Alessandro seemed to know which way he was going to move and pulled away. Rory growled in frustration, fighting the urge to turn around and force contact. He would not turn around. Even if it killed him.
“Hurry the fuck up, dammit.”
Alessandro didn’t say anything, merely reached around him to the shower shelf and the baby oil they kept there exactly for this purpose. Rory heard the top snap open, then close, and felt his abs tighten just from the sound. Deliberately he kept his eyes closed and leaned his head forward, onto his forearm. His hands were clenched into fists in an effort not to touch himself.
When Alessandro did finally touch him it was a relief. Slicking the oil over his ass, his partner snugged up behind him, prodding him with his own cock. Rory dropped his front half a little lower and bent his knees. There was almost six inches of height difference they had to deal with when they did it this way.
Rory gasped as Alessandro breached the tight outer ring of his ass. Oh goddess, that felt good. Bracing himself against the tile, he straightened his back and tilted his hips up, encouraging Alessandro to go deeper.
“Dios mio!”
Strong hands grasped Rory’s hips, pulling him backwards as Alessandro surged forward. There was no tenderness, just basic primal need and the relentless drive for release. Shifting, his partner found that trigger, that one spot that shot lightning through Rory’s body. It was almost enough to send him off but not quite. He desperately needed more.
Finally, finally, Alessandro reached around and touched his weeping cock. Rory cried out as his clever fist began moving up and down teasingly. Normally it wouldn’t have been enough to take him to orgasm, but with the need chasing him that day and Alessandro teasing him it was enough. As his Italian lover pounded into him, stroking over his prostrate, Rory came copiously.
The convulsions of his ass in turn milked Alessandro to completion. His weight settled on Rory’s back as he twitched and moaned out his release, legs quivering. For several long moments Rory couldn’t hear anything other than the blood pounding in his veins. Eventually he realized the shower water was running cool. If they didn’t get out soon they were going to freeze their nuts off.
Straightening, he pulled himself gently away from Alessandro’s cock then turned in his arms. Kissing Alessandro’s pouty lips gently he whispered, “I love you.”
“And I you, caro.” Alessandro smiled gently, replete.
For the first time Rory didn’t immediately begin thinking about Violet again. It wasn’t until he was dry and clothed, heading downstairs for dinner that he thought about her. Actually, when he felt her.
She was upset. There was a discontentment to her being that hadn’t been there in a long time. As he helped himself to a casserole the housekeeper had left, he tried to puzzle out why she was so…despondent. Alessandro came downstairs and Rory handed him the plate he had warmed for him. They settled at the marble counter to eat. Outside the plate glass windows the pine trees swayed in the breeze.
Guilt ate a Rory as he thought of the way he had used Alessandro. His partner knew what he was doing, of course, but it still wasn’t right.
Rory cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, ‘Sandro. I know I’ve been out of it since…Kentucky. I just, I don’t know, didn’t expect to be so knocked off balance by her.”
Without saying her name, he knew Alessandro would understand. And he did.
Humor lightened his partner’s pretty hazel eyes. His dark lashes were still damp from the shower and Rory took a moment to run his thumb over his cheek stubble. Just the sound and the familiarity with which Sandro allowed the touch warmed his heart. He loved this man. He loved him beyond a shadow of a doubt. There was no way on earth he would ever want to hurt him. If Violet was his mate, though, as he was beginning to suspect she was, he didn’t know how he couldn’t.
Alessandro turned his stool toward Rory, ignoring his lunch. “Caro, I understand. You think she is a part of your world, no?”
Rory was astounded. And humbled. Alessandro had every right to be upset, but he didn’t seem to be.
Sighing, he pursed his lips. “I don’t know. She’s definitely a draw to me. It might just be her Fae ancestry pulling me into protector mode, I don’t know. My senses come alive when I’m around her, same as they used to with old Keegan. But this is more, Sandro. As if I am connected to her.”
“I think, Rory, that you are heading in a direction you have always searched for. How many times have we stopped at that shop over the past ten years? Three? Four? For air in the tires, or new wipers, or some other ridiculous thing.”
Rory nodded, feeling a wash of color under his skin. He didn’t realize he had been so obvious. “I’ve always been drawn there. Her grandfather was a wonderful man, very proud of his heritage. I feel bad that she no longer has him in her life. I constantly wonder who she does have in her life.”
Alessandro nodded. “Yes, I too worry about her. Often.”
This surprised Rory. In his self-absorption he thought he was the only one pining. Had Alessandro felt a connection to her too? He looked at his companion more sharply.
“Really?”
Alessandro nodded his head, running his fingers through his drying hair. The wild waves fell carelessly back. They wouldn’t stay in place until he gelled them into place.
“She has no one there. You felt her body. She was parched for attention and stifled because of it. Jack told us about her years ago. Do you remember what he said?”
Rory wracked his brain but he couldn’t seem to place his friend’s words. He shook his head.
“He said she was like a cactus. Prickly and rough until some attention was paid to her, then she blossomed like the rose that she is. She will wither and die in that town if she stays there.”
Rory had a feeling it was true, but he didn’t know what to do about the situation. He knew exactly why she wasn’t flourishing there. He wondered if she knew.
The fact that Jack had noticed her first rankled. If he didn’t know for a fact that Jack was committed whole-heartedly to his own
male partner he would be worried. It made him wonder if other Fae had noticed her as well, hiding out in the little backwoods town. If her natural aura was enough to pull him there several times he was probably not the only one. The thought of somebody else laying claim to her body made his breathing accelerate and his fists clench. No, he wasn’t losing her when he had just found her.
Reining in his emotions, he looked at Alessandro. It was his choice as well. “What do you suggest?”
The Italian gave him a gleaming smile as he leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. “I thought you would never ask, caro. Let us go for a drive. I’ll go pack.”
“FUCK!!”
Violet yelled out in pain as the wrench she was trying to crank slipped off the edge of the bolt, letting her right hand slam into an aluminum fan blade. The heavy Snap-On wrench clattered down through the engine and smacked her in the corner of her right eye socket before she could work her other hand around to catch the damn thing. Stars burst in her vision and she gritted her teeth to pant through the pain.
Pulling her hand out of the contorted spot it was in, she was not surprised to see blood running down her wrist from a gash. Looking around her as much as she could she tried to see if maybe she had brought a rag under the car with her. No, of course she hadn’t. The damn thing was bleeding like a stuck pig, too.
Hooking her boot heels in the concrete, she pulled the creeper out from underneath the car and levered herself to her feet. Glancing around the shop, she looked for something clean to wrap around her hand but the box of blue shop towels was empty. Stomping into the office, she looked around there too but was unable to find anything. By now blood was running down her elbow, dripping on the floor. In resignation she stripped off her coveralls and turned them inside out. Pulling the sleeve away from the rest of the suit, she fashioned it into a thick bandage. It was sloppy and huge, but it would at least give her a chance to lock up the shop and head upstairs.
Once in the shower she let the hot water pound over her. Maybe it would wash away her bad luck. No frigging chance of that.