Hayes still sat on the couch when she returned. She could just leave, he’d have to follow her anyway, but that didn’t seem right. “I’m taking a few hours this afternoon and getting away. I don’t know where I’m going, where I’ll end up, but that’s what I’m doing.”
“Okay.”
She walked to the door, put her hand on the knob and stilled. He didn’t move, simply sat there. Begging wasn’t her thing. If he wanted to ride with her he would, otherwise he could do his vanishing bit and follow in silence. Chance jerked open the door, slammed it behind her and stomped toward her car.
Why the hell was he mad at her? He couldn’t possibly be sulking because she used a wish to heal him. Why wouldn’t she? She had been up front about not wanting anything for herself, that any wishes she did make would be trivial. Then the opportunity to do something good came along and she took it. God, what an evil bitch.
Chance jerked her car door open, slid behind the wheel and jumped when Hayes appeared next to her. After her heart rate returned to normal, she shoved the key into the ignition and started the car. They sat there in silence as the vehicle warmed up. Should she say something to him? Make idle chitchat? Hell no. He’s the one with the issue, not her. Let him stew for as long he needed. No skin off her ass.
The drive toward town seemed to take an eternity. When she neared the first red light she knew he would do his little vanishing act. Not today he wouldn’t. Chance put her hand on his thigh—his hard, thick thigh—and suppressed a shiver.
“Stay put,” she told him.
“People will see me.”
“No kidding. Let them.”
“I don’t understand. The last couple of days you’ve been worried someone will see me with you.” He didn’t look toward her, only stared out the window as he spoke.
“Yeah, well, I don’t give a damn right now.” Truth be told, she could care less about everybody in this town at the moment.
He turned his head and frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should talk to your friend Jenny.”
“Jenny isn’t the one I want to talk to. The person I want to talk to doesn’t seem to give a rat’s ass.” The light turned green and Chance sped toward the next one.
Hayes grabbed a hold of the dash, bracing himself. When she hit the brakes to stop for the next light he gave a heavy sigh but said nothing. Fine.
As she pulled up in front of her shop she glanced over. Hayes still had his fingers dug into her dash. “You can sit in here or you can come with me. Your choice.” She all but leapt from the car, slammed the door and didn’t look back.
When she entered the store she found several couples milling around, inspecting her wares and murmuring. Normally that would inject a surge of confidence in her. Not today. God, she didn’t even want to be in here today.
“You’re here early. I didn’t expect you ’til later,” Jenny said, coming out from behind the counter.
“I popped in to see if you needed anything. I hate to do this to you, Jenny, but I need some time away. I think I’ll take a drive this afternoon.”
Worry filled the older woman’s eyes. “That’s fine.” The small doorbell tinkled, drawing Jenny’s attention toward it. Her eyebrows lifted. “Well, would you look at that?”
Chance turned her head and saw Hayes standing there with his hands in his pockets, looking around. Every other woman in the place turned her head as well. He didn’t notice and she didn’t expect him to. How could a man who lived two centuries in a bottle understand that his mere presence stole the female breath?
“What’s bothering you, Chance?” Jenny asked, her frail hand reaching out and touching her arm. “Did something happen?”
Yes, no, everything, nothing. Right now it all seemed a jumbled mess. Violent emotions swamped her as she stood there debating whether to tell Jenny anything. “I can’t, not now, Jenny. I need to think. I need time. Will you be okay here by yourself?” The need to run pounded at her.
“Of course I will. You take as much time as you need, honey.”
Chance spared a glance back at Hayes. He hadn’t moved, only stood there gazing at her with as much worry as Jenny. Too bad that’s all he could spare for her, a sympathy gaze. Then again, she shouldn’t expect anything more.
“Is that your young man?”
Chance turned back to Jenny. “Yeah, that’s Hayes.” She tried for a smile but feared it came across rather sad.
“If he’s done anything to you, hurt you in any way, I’ll make him wish he hadn’t been born.”
This time Chance gave a genuine smile. She’d never heard Jenny talk like that, with so much venom in her voice. The woman actually moved, placing herself protectively between Chance and him.
“He hasn’t hurt me, Jenny. He actually came to my defense at great cost to himself.”
Jenny turned, raised both eyebrows and waited for an explanation.
“Maybe I’ll be able to tell you about it tomorrow, right now I need to get out of here. I’ll try to be back in time to pick you up and take you home.”
“No need.” Jenny crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll call my friend Louie.”
“Louie?” She’d never heard that name before.
“He’s got his eye on me. Maybe tonight I’ll give him a taste.”
Shock had Chance’s mouth falling open. “Jenny!”
“I’m old, honey, not dead. Go. Do what you need to do. Know this though. If you need me, I’m only a phone call away.”
“Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me.” Chance wrapped the woman in a gentle hug, kissed her cheek and then all but ran for the door.
Hayes opened it as she approached, letting her rush though before following behind. More tears wanted to come but she didn’t allow them. Hell, she didn’t even know why she wanted to cry. There were too many reasons at the moment.
The rising panic didn’t diminish until she found herself on a two-lane road in the country. Nothing but fields filled with cows, horses and sheep. The mountains that surrounded the area were bright with the changing leaves, the exact reason she loved this time of year. So much color and beauty, nothing hateful to mar it.
Hayes never said a word, simply admired the scenery. A few times Chance checked to make sure he hadn’t pulled a disappearing act. It appeared he’d gotten lost in the beauty of his surroundings, much like her.
“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“I’d forgotten,” he said with awe in his voice.
“Would you like to take a hike? See it up close and personal?”
A quick smile spread across his face but vanished in a split second. “This is your day, Chance. Do what you want.”
She fought the eye roll and made a turn toward the state park. Fifteen minutes later they were driving beneath full, heavy trees loaded with vibrant orange and yellow leaves. Chance parked the car in a designated area and they both got out.
“There’s a trail to follow so we won’t get lost. Come on, Hayes.”
It didn’t take long for the weight of her troubles to melt away. How could anyone be unhappy in such a beautiful environment? Chance leapt, hopped and powered her way up the side of the hill and allowed her legs to run freely as she headed down the other side.
The smell of the woods, the natural sounds, they were what she needed today. Hayes kept pace behind her, muttering every once in a while. In her haste to outrun the troubles following her, she came too close to a drop-off. Her foot slipped and before she could even screech he had his arm wrapped around her middle, pulling her close to his body.
“Do me a favor?” he asked, looking down into the ravine she’d nearly tumbled into. “Take it a little slower.”
“What’ the matter, Hayes? Can’t the old man keep up?” She pulled away from him, buried the regret of not staying in his arms longer and continued on her way.
She could hear a babbling brook in the distance and she wanted to see it. Chance kept moving, her feet slipping on rocks. Occas
ionally she got slapped in the face with thin, straggly tree limbs. She didn’t care. Even the brisk air felt good right now.
As the fast-running stream came into view Hayes grabbed her hand and jerked her back to him. His fingers stabbed into her hair at the side of her head. His other arm snaked around her waist. He looked down at her, his eyes dark and his face tense.
“I may be old but you know damn well how my body works.”
Chance frowned and then smiled. “Why, Hayes, I do believe I hit a nerve with that comment.” It seemed some things didn’t change as time progressed. Men still didn’t like being reminded how old they were.
He sighed, leaned down and rested his forehead on hers. Chance’s heart fluttered at the innocent yet tender contact. When he allowed himself to feel and didn’t fight it, he was the most romantic, giving man she’d ever met.
“I’m afraid all my nerves are shot today.”
“I know what you mean.” Chance pulled away, walked the short distance to the stream and sat on the ground.
Hayes joined her. “I like it here,” he whispered. “Peaceful, normal.”
“When I was younger and things got to be more than I could handle, I’d go for long walks. One family that took me in for a while lived in the country and I’d explore, wandering around in the woods for hours. I always left a trail I could follow back though.”
“I guess you’ve always been overly intelligent.”
“No,” she chuckled. “Anything but. I just knew that if I didn’t take care of myself no one else would. I could have been lost for days in the woods before anyone noticed.”
“I doubt that, Chance.”
“Seriously. The man worked twelve-hour days and the woman, she spent all her time on the phone and watching television. I quickly discovered I could do anything I wanted and no one noticed.”
“How do you do it?” he finally asked after long moments of silence. “How do you look back on all that loneliness and keep a vibrant and happy outlook?”
Chance leaned back on her elbows and kicked her legs out. “I learned that nothing good ever lasts, so when I had it good I cherished it, made every second of it. Why throw away that opportunity, there’s plenty of time to wallow in misery later.”
Another peaceful jag of time passed. Hayes tossed rocks into the water. She absorbed the serenity and let it heal those ragged wounds Bill had inflicted. Some women went shopping for therapy, she ran to places like this.
“Chance?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we call a truce?” He kicked his legs out, crossed his feet and leaned back, mimicking her position.
“I don’t know. Can we? I’m not the one pouting.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t pout.”
“Have it your way.”
“Seriously. I don’t like this awkward silence between us.”
She didn’t either. “Okay, let’s talk. Tell me what’s got your boxers in a twist.” As if she didn’t know.
“Boxers?”
The curious look on his face made her smile. When she thought he couldn’t get any better looking, he’d give her another unique expression, sinking her heart again.
“Boxers, you know, men’s underwear.”
“Oh I don’t wear those.”
Her mouth went dry as her gaze dropped to his groin. She should know that. She’d stripped him out of his jeans a couple times now. Suddenly her blood heated knowing thin denim separated them. It also brought nerve endings to life. How did he keep doing this to her?
“Anyway,” she said with a hoarse, breathy voice. “What’s wrong?”
“You used a wish on me.”
That’s it. That’s all he said. Irritation flared in the pit of her stomach. “I get that much. What I don’t get is why it ruffles your feathers. They are my wishes, right? I get to use them for anything I want, right?”
“That’s the point. You use them for you, and damn it,” he snapped, “you have no idea what could have happened. Hell, I didn’t know what would happen.”
“Now we do. You’re healed, I’m happy.” When he opened his mouth to protest she shook her head and put out her hand. “You knew exactly what would happen when you interfered with Bill’s actions and still you chose to protect me. That’s gold fucking star material in my book.”
His eyes rounded and his jaw went slack at hearing her use the foul word. It took everything she had to hold onto her irritation and not kiss that goofy look off his face. Chance drew up her legs as she faced him. “In fact, I can’t think of a better way to use a wish than to help someone you care about.”
He turned his face away as if embarrassed by her actually saying it out loud. “And that’s what this is all about, isn’t it? You keep warning me not to care, but you know what? It isn’t going to happen so you might as well deal with it.”
“I don’t want your pity,” he mumbled.
“Good, because I don’t pity you. Do I feel for your situation? Yes. I also think you’re a remarkable man for not turning bitter and evil after all these centuries.”
Hayes jumped to his feet, jammed his hands down in his pockets and strolled toward the stream. Chance closed her eyes with a sigh. She didn’t feel like arguing about all this right now. Distraction is the reason she took the day off, and no way in hell would she allow herself to be sidetracked by his stubbornness. Ready to leave, Chance got to her feet.
Hayes whirled around with that eerie green glow shining in his eyes along with a whole lot of heat. Chance whimpered out loud as her body turned into one giant, turned-on muscle. Hayes came toward her, each step deliberate, as if stalking prey. When he stood in front of her he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips hard against hers.
“Every time I think I have this under control, you plow through it,” he grumbled against her mouth, at the same time backing her up.
A tree pressed into her back as he continued to ravage her mouth, forcing his tongue between her lips. Chance gave as good as she got. Their tongues slid against each other in a seductive dance. Hayes lowered one hand, released the snap on her jeans and jerked the zipper down. Before she knew it he had his hand tucked inside, cupping her wet, hot pussy.
Two thick fingers eased inside her as his palm pressed against her clit. She spread her legs, giving him better access and letting his fingers delve deeper. Her heart raced as her hips pumped.
“You make me happy, angry and horny all at the same time,” he whispered, letting his lips trail down the column of her neck. “I don’t know which emotion to go with.”
“Horny,” she panted, pushing against his palm and delighting in the quick pleasure that raced through her body. “Definitely like horny.”
“I wanna watch you come,” he told her, pulling back from her neck. “I wanna see it in your eyes.”
He wouldn’t have to wait long. She cried out as his fingers rubbed against that sensitive spot but kept her gaze locked with his. If he kept that up she’d rocket into space.
“You’re so beautiful, Chance. Inside and out.” Hayes continued to pump his fingers. “I can feel you clampin’ down, your wet heat draggin’ me in further. I want to feel that on my cock before I have to leave. Just once so I can remember it forever.”
His words pushed her over the edge. She opened her mouth to cry out but he used his free hand to stifle the sound. As the pleasure raced throughout her body Hayes held her gaze, his softening slightly with awe and wonder.
“Annie.”
“You left me.” She heard the words, knew they came from her lips, but didn’t understand what they meant. “I came back and you were gone.”
“I couldn’t help it,” he replied. “I was tricked.” Hayes removed his fingers, letting them slide gently from her sensitive core. He held them to his lips and sucked her juice clean.
Even through the weird words and the fact that Hayes appeared to know what was happening now, Chance still wasn’t finished with him. She slipped down the tree, opened
his jeans and released his heavy erection.
“Who am I, Hayes?” Her mouth enveloped his cock, taking him all the way in. His hips bucked, a garbled curse tore from his lips and he grabbed the tree to steady himself.
“Chance.”
She released him. “Who do you see when we’re together?” Chance licked his shaft, letting her tongue slide effortlessly up and down.
“I see you and Annie.”
She rewarded him with a quick swallow and hard suck. That’s all she wanted to know right now. She feared any more would confuse him. It only took a few minutes of sucking, lapping and pumping before he came. Hard. He filled her mouth to overflowing with salty, musky semen. When he finished fucking her mouth he stumbled backward, tucked himself back inside his jeans and turned away.
Chance sat down, let him have his moment. It became obvious that something bigger was happening between them. She may not understand it but he did, now anyway. Her time would come. It occurred to her she should be more than a little freaked by all this. Yet she wasn’t. Somewhere deep inside she knew it had to play out.
“Come on, Hayes.” An idea popped into her head. He seemed happiest when he worked with his hands and while he carved away, he could think.
“Where we goin’?”
A mile or two down the road sat an old family farm that filled its fields with pumpkins. If she bought a few he could work his carving magic on them. “It’s a surprise.”
Chance headed back down the trail at a fast pace. Hayes muttered something about her never walking anywhere but managed to keep up. Once he had himself in the car she headed straight for the farm. The vast fields came into view along with the old-style barn that stood proud and majestic against the landscape of high mountains.
She spared a glance over at Hayes. He bent over, looking out the windshield with excitement plastered on his face. That’s what she wanted to see, him forgetting about his go nowhere life for a while. Taking this opportunity and enjoying it.
As they neared the farm a field of orange came into view along with three tractors pulling wagons full of kids. This family loved bringing in the children of the county and for a small fee allowed them to pick their own pumpkin. They offered cider, cold and warm, and had a small market you could shop at. Country living at its best.
WhiskeyBottleLover Page 14