Brush Strokes

by Janelle Stalder

  “Rannon dropped me off,” she said, taking a step forward and then another one until she stood between my legs. Hesitantly, she lifted a hand and stroked it gently through my hair. My eyes closed instantly. I leaned into her touch. “What happened?” she asked.

  I sighed loudly, opening my eyes to look up at her. “Ms. Kelly mentioned my dad’s daughter today, and I guess I freaked out.” I paused. “She has a name now.”

  One side of her mouth lifted a little. “I should think so,” she said teasingly.

  I smiled, and man did it feel good. The pain was lifting slightly and I knew it had everything to do with this girl – my girl – and her mere presence. I reached out and gripped her hips, pulled her even closer until my forehead rested against her stomach.

  “It feels more real now,” I explained.

  I couldn’t see but I could sense her nodding her head. “I get that. You know,” she said softly, her hand going back to running through the strands of my hair. “She’s not the one to be blamed in all this.”

  Figures she’d say that. I wanted to be angry about that, but I knew she was right. I’d known it all along, but that didn’t make it any easier. “I don’t know if I can meet her,” I admitted.

  “There’s no rush, Colt,” she said. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

  We stayed that way for what felt like a long time, her standing there stroking my hair, me pressing my face into her soft body. When I finally pulled away it was with some difficulty. Just touching her kept me grounded. “Are you going back to school?” I asked.

  She smiled and shook her head. “I’d rather be here,” she said.

  I swear I felt lighter by about a hundred pounds. With a slight tug I had her falling into my lap, her legs straddling me. She giggled, her arms wrapping loosely around my neck. “I’d rather you be here too,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

  She laughed again, shaking her head. She opened her mouth to speak but I had better plans. My mouth crashed into hers and a loud moan filled the air. I wasn’t even sure which one of us it had come from, or if it was both. I needed this right now. God, how I needed it. I needed her. My arms instinctively tightened around her as if I were afraid she was going to get up right then and leave me.

  Deepening the kiss, I twisted and lowered her onto the bed so that she was snuggly fit beneath me. Her lips moved over mine like they were meant just for me. I loved kissing Olivia. I loved the feel and taste of her, the tiny mewls and whimpers that came out of her. Everything about Olivia drove me wild. I pulled back, looking down at her with a purely male sense of satisfaction at her swollen lips and desire laden eyes.

  “I need you,” I said softly.

  She reached up to cup my face. “I’m right here,” she whispered.

  “Can I have you?” I asked, holding my breath.

  “Always,” she replied, nodding her head.

  I didn’t waste another minute, taking her mouth with a renewed sense of urgency. She met me with the same passion, our tongues and lips melding together, our hands roaming over every inch of each other. I started a path of kisses down her neck, breathing in the scent and feel of her. My hands inched up the hem of her shirt, splaying across her belly that flexed beneath my palms.

  I looked up, silently asking for permission. Olivia nodded her head once. With slow movements, I pulled the shirt over her head, my heart pounding at finally being able to see all of her. The black bra she wore was gone quickly and I feasted my eyes on the stunning beauty of her. She was perfect. When I glanced up at her face, I could see some self-consciousness at being bared to me. I didn’t want her doubting for one minute about how beautiful I thought she was.

  Placing slow kisses between the swell of her breasts, I made my way over the top of one, and then over to the next, before finally taking one of the rosy nipples that were begging for my attention into my mouth. She gasped, her hands coming up to grip the back of my head. The slight pull on my hair had me groaning and sucking harder on her. She lifted her chest, pressing it closer to me.

  I showed her other breast the same attention before trailing down her stomach, swirling my tongue in the dip of her belly button. Hooking my thumbs in the band of her pants, I pulled them down, forcing Olivia to lift her hips so I could get them over the curves of her rear. Once I had her pants off, my hands went back to deal with the delicate panties she wore, delving under the fabric and moving around the back to squeeze those curves that drove me so nuts.

  Her breathing was the only sound I could hear as I proceeded to remove her only remaining piece of clothing. Once she was completely bare, I stood at the end of the bed and pulled off my own clothes. Having Olivia watch me, her eyes darker now with desire, was a heady thing. I’d never felt so worked up before, never wanted to get inside someone as much as I did her. There was no one like Olivia. Just watching her watch me made me want to shout for joy.

  “Move up the bed,” I told her, surprised at how gruff my voice was. She moved immediately, dragging herself up until her head rested on my pillows. I just stood there and took in the sight of Olivia naked in my bed. It was a sight that would probably never leave me.

  I crawled up the bed grabbing one of her legs to place kisses up along the inside, stopping just at the top of her thighs. Her breath hitched as I settled myself between them. I wasn’t sure what kind of experience Olivia had had before this, but I was going to make sure she didn’t remember anyone else but me by the time this was over.

  The first stroke of my tongue had her calling out my name on a gasp of breath. Her hands clawed at the bed as I continued my assault until I felt her break apart beneath me, her entire body vibrating with the force of it.

  When I capture her mouth with mine again she felt boneless beneath me, her body more relaxed than I think I’d ever seen her. She kissed me back with the same amount of need that my head was spinning with desire. Blindly reaching over, I found my drawer and pulled it open, finding the packet I needed. I had to pull away to rip it open with my teeth, but Olivia grabbed it from me.

  “Let me,” she said. I leaned up and watched as her eyes widened at the sight of me. I would have smiled but there was nothing funny about it. Having her look at me there was threatening my control. The last thing I needed was to lose it before I even got in her.

  Her hands shook as she rolled on the condom, her touch hesitant but still eager to explore. I closed my eyes, my head falling back as I moaned loudly from the feel of her hands. When she would have continued, I held out a hand. “Stop, or I’m not going to make it,” I warned.

  She smiled, lying back. I covered her body with mine, taking her mouth again. In one movement I joined us, stilling when I was fully sated. I looked down at her face, her eyes wide as she stared back at me.

  “Ok?” I asked, my voice strained as I forced myself to keep still. She was so incredibly tight and warm. I knew I had to give her a moment to adjust even though it was killing me. Finally she nodded and I started to move slowly. It was the most intense, pleasurable experience of my life. Her hands and nails scratched at me, urging me on. When we exploded together, I swore stars appeared before my eyes. I was never going to be the same after this.

  Saturday had arrived and I was standing outside of Jenn’s house, listening to the loud voices and music going on inside. I wasn’t really looking forward to this party, but I knew Rannon wanted me to come. Now that I was here, I was starting to regret it. Olivia was going to meet me later so I had to walk in by myself. I just hoped most of the girls weren’t already sloppy drunk. I really didn’t want to have to deal with that drama tonight.

  Everything between Olivia and I had changed once we took that final step. If possible, I was even more infatuated with her than I had been before. There was nothing about her that I didn’t admire, and knowing that I was the one she spent her time with, and I was the one she looked up at with those expressive eyes, made me feel like a million bucks. I felt like a better person because of her.
No one had ever made me feel that way before.

  If only I could provide a better future for her than the one that was laid out for me. I was going to be stuck in this small town, working at a mechanic’s shop until I was old and grey. I knew it, but did she? The idea that she was going to realize it and leave me literally left me breathless. There would be a crushing weight on my chest that would threaten to suffocate me. I just wanted to be good enough for her and I had no idea how.

  The volume was deafening when I entered the house. Pictures on the walls were shaking from the bass. I made my way toward the back where I knew the kitchen was, waving at those who called out to me on my way. Just as I suspected, Rannon stood at the island, a.k.a. the makeshift bar, playing bartender. As soon as he spotted me his face lit up.

  “There he is!” he called out loudly, causing the people around him to look back at me. Everyone called out a hello to which I simply waved in return. Rannon detached from the crowd, carrying a red plastic cup over to me. “What took you so long?” he asked, handing it over.

  “I had to finish my shift at the shop,” I said, taking a sip of the warm beer. Bleh.

  “Where’s the little misses?” he asked looking around.

  “Not here yet,” I said.

  He nodded, looking back at me, bringing his head closer. “I spoke to my guy and we’re all set,” he said.

  “Really? For when?”

  “Next Saturday. Should be quick, in and out.”

  I nodded my head. “Okay, good. I’ll make sure all the last details are covered.”

  Rannon grabbed his own cup from someone who was walking by. They turned to give him shit, but thought twice about it when they realized who it was.

  “To success and gettin’ paid,” he said lifting his cup.

  I smiled, tipping my cup to his. “To getting paid.” We both took a big gulp.

  “Now we just need to figure out a ride when we get out.”

  Twenty-Four

  Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Pablo Picasso

  Olivia

  “Now we just need to figure out a ride when we get out.”

  I heard Rannon say as I walked up. Neither of the boys heard me because of the commotion around them. I reached out and touched Colt’s arm, making him jerk in surprise. When he turned and saw it was me his face broke out into a wide grin, his eyes lighting up in a way that had my heart racing.

  “Hey,” he said, leaning down to give me a kiss. I expected a quick one, but I should have known better. Nothing Colt did was ever quick. He always took his time as if he savoured every second we touched. It made me feel incredibly wanted and cherished. When he finally pulled back, I could see Rannon smiling suggestively at us.

  Colt caught it and gave him a quick punch to his arm. “Don’t look at my girl like that,” he warned. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, turning to me.

  I nodded and watched him go to where there was a mountain of bottles and cups. Rannon moved so he stood beside me.

  “He really likes you, you know?” he said, throwing an arm around me. His body swayed a bit and I knew he’d had more than just one drink already tonight.

  “You think so huh?” I said.

  “I know so,” he said with a wink. “I’ve never seen him so caught up with a girl before. I think you’re special to him.”

  I looked over to where he was now talking with his friend Briggs, his face split wide as he laughed at something his friend was saying. Was I special to him? He was certainly special to me. I thought back to how they had looked when I had first walked in and concern started to fill me. I didn’t know what they’d been talking about, but whatever it had been had looked serious.

  “Is everything okay with you guys?” I asked, looking to Rannon.

  “Oh yeah,” he said, waving me off. “Everything is fine. Your man over there has everything under control.”

  “Oh?”

  He nodded. “He sure does. He’s the man with the plan.”

  “The man with the plan,” I repeated.

  He nodded again. “We’re going to get us some money and he’s going to be a lot happier.”

  Get money? Now I was really confused and concerned. “How are you guys going to get money, Rannon?” I asked, turning to look at him fully.

  He just winked and put his finger to his lips. “It’s a secret, Ollie. Don’t you worry about it. Colt’s got everything under control.”

  I was starting to panic. How did a couple of nineteen year old boys just suddenly get money? None of the ideas running through my head were comforting. On the contrary, they all resulted in handcuffs and bars. Colt wouldn’t do anything illegal would he? He wasn’t that stupid, I reasoned. He knew what it would do to his mother, and surely he knew what it would do to me too.

  I glanced back at him, biting my lip anxiously. What was he up to?

  “Don’t look so worried,” Rannon said, laughing and pulling me into some kind of awkward side hug. “It’s not like we’re robbing a bank.” He laughed harder. My blood went cold. They wouldn’t…The way he said it suggested that was exactly what they were planning, but there was no way I could believe something like that.

  “Get your arm off my girl,” Colt said, walking back up to us. Rannon let his arm drop and held up his hands innocently.

  “I wasn’t trying anything, I promise,” he said.

  Colt handed me my drink and then wrapped his arm around me. I went, a little more stiffly than usual, half listening to what they said as they talked around me. I couldn’t quite focus as I took small sips of my drink, my mind replaying Rannon’s words. Just what was Colt getting himself into?

  The weather was cooling off, fall firmly rolling in. I pulled my jacket tighter around me as I made my way into the school. Colt was standing by my locker when I entered and I felt myself instantly smiling. He’d been acting strangely all week – well, not strange, but definitely secretive. He and Rannon would talk about something, their heads bent close, and then stop the second I arrived.

  I knew it had to do with what Rannon had told me but I couldn’t find it in myself to ask him outright. It didn’t feel like it was my place. Colt acted like nothing was wrong so how could I just bring it up out of nowhere? This week had been great other than my anxiety over what he was keeping from me. Colt was the most attentive and caring boyfriend. I was incredibly lucky and found myself constantly wanting to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.

  There was a connection there that was stronger than anything I had ever experienced before. Our love making had taken on a desperate, passionate feel that drove the both of us crazy. I’d never experienced such pleasure as I did with Colt. Just thinking about it had my cheeks turning red and my palms sweating.

  Somehow I could tell Colt knew where my thoughts had gone as I walked up to him. The grin that spread across his face said it all.

  “Morning,” he said smugly, his tongue sneaking out to play with his lip ring. I narrowed my eyes on him, knowing exactly what he was doing.

  “Stop it,” I said, walking beside him to open my locker. He shifted so he was facing me, his body leaning in close, invading my personal space.

  “I’m not doing anything,” he said weakly.

  “You know exactly what you’re doing, now stop it,” I said, my tone not as stern as I’d have liked it to be.

  He laughed, leaning down to nip my shoulder. I jumped, scowling at him. “What are your plans this weekend?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” I answered, “I’ll have to check with my boyfriend.”

  He gasped. “You have a boyfriend?” he said, gripping his chest. “I’m crushed. Must be a lucky guy.”

  I snorted as I switched my books. Colt stepped around the back of me, wrapping his arms around my waist. My body melted against him like it had a mind of its own.

  “I want to take you out for a romantic dinner,” he said, kissing a trail up the side of my neck.

&n
bsp; “Okay,” I said on a sigh. “Why don’t we go to the lake in the afternoon before the weather starts getting really bad?” I suggested.

  He stiffened and then stepped back. “I can’t in the afternoon,” he said vaguely. I turned to look at him with a frown. “There’s something I need to do with Ran, but I’ll meet up with you after, okay?”

  No it wasn’t okay, but how could I say that without sounding like a crazy girlfriend? Nodding weakly, I stared at his chest as he leaned down and kissed me on the forehead saying he’d see me in class. Then he took off down the hall as I stared after him, worried and deflated.

  It was Saturday. I was sitting in front of my canvas, the rain outside pounding against the window pane, music playing softly in the background – the perfect set-up for a day of painting. Or it should have been. Except here I sat, staring at the blankness in front of me with no desire or enthusiasm to put my brush on the surface and simply create.

  I’d watched Colt leave the house not too long ago in his car, with Rannon in the passenger seat. They’d moved quickly as if they were in some sort of rush. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew it couldn’t be good.

  God, could it be true? Was I going to hear about some bank robbery this evening and know exactly who it was that had done it? Was it possible that Colt and Rannon could even pull something like that off? There was no way they could do it on their own. What did they know about robbing banks?

  I paused. Maybe they did know something about it. I mean, I’d just really started to get to know Colt, but there was so much I needed to learn still. Sure I’d lived next to him for years, but we’d never spoken before, so it was possible he’d done something along these lines before.

  What if something bad happened? What if they needed help? I dipped my brush into my paint and started to stroke along the surface. Should I tell someone? I wondered. That would just get them in more trouble. Maybe I should have gone with them just to make sure they got out safely. The more I painted the more I started to think that I was stupid not to have insisted I go along. Did I want to get in trouble? No. Did I want to commit an illegal crime? No. Did I want to just sit back and watch Colt get arrested, or worse? Absolutely not. My brush continued.