CowSex

by Lesley Jones

  “I could go into town and buy one. Would’ve got one Saturday if I’d known there wasn’t one here. I still don’t see how you don’t have a kettle. Who doesn’t have a kettle?”

  “People who don’t drink tea? Who doesn’t drink coffee in the morning?”

  “I do drink coffee. Just not your coffee. It’s shit.”

  “My coffee’s not shit, Essex. It’s French press. I just bought the Kuerig week before last. If I’d known the Queen of England was gonna come crashing into my life, I would have purchased a kettle and a shitload of Earl Grey. Fuck, I would have hired Jeeves, the fucking butler, to serve it to you from a China cup and saucer. But I didn’t, so water heated in a pan or nuked is all I have to offer—”

  “You’d do that? For me?” I interrupt his rant.

  “Babe, I drove through the snow, bought chocolates and arranged flowers, and then carried them to our bed for you while butt naked last night. Hiring a—”

  “Okay, you’re scaring me now. Who is this and what in the hell have you done with Carmichael?”

  We both turn to see Lee standing at the entrance to the kitchen with his hands on his hips, staring at us.

  “He’s scaring you? I’m fucking cacking myself.”

  Okay, probably a little inappropriate and definitely not ladylike, but it’s the truth.

  This is not the Koa I was expecting to find this morning after waking to an empty bed.

  “You”—Koa points to Lee—“fuck off and do what I’m paying you for. And you”—he looks at me—“cacking yourself?”

  “Cacking, crapping? Pooing my bloody self. What happened to no strings?”

  “I thought we said we’d...you want no strings?” He frowns, concern suddenly etched on his face. I like it.

  I shake my head.

  “Okay, if this is gonna get heavy, I’m gonna—”

  “Fuck off,” we both shout at Lee.

  “Yep. That’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”

  We watch him leave. Koa steps away from me.

  “What’s happening here, Essex? What is it you want from this, from us?”

  He leans back against the worktop and drags his fingers through his hair. He’s wearing his usual jeans, long-sleeved T-shirt, and boots. My knowing what is going on underneath those clothes makes me wanna weep.

  “You’re the one who set boundaries, Cowboy.”

  “I did. But that was before last night.”

  “So you’ve changed your mind?”

  “I think I have.”

  “And what? What does that mean?”

  “I’m cacking myself, Essex.” His eyes shine as life as I know it ceases to exist when he grins his most boyish grin yet. OverThinking me faints. WhoreyWanty me purrs. Me? I fall in love with a cowboy and accept that my heart will never be the same again.

  THE NEXT TWO DAYS ARE manic. Kai and Malia’s rooms are stripped bare, repainted, and rewired. The timber flooring Koa purchased is fixed to create the feature walls where their beds will go up against, and by early Friday, Kai’s room at least is ready for furniture and fixtures.

  I’m not really involved in any of this, apart from going with Koa Thursday afternoon and picking paint and then lights. We also bought a kettle, but as of yet, no butler has arrived to serve me tea. I can live with this, though, as I had Koa in my bed again last night and the services he provides far out do anything a crusty old English butler could, I’m sure.

  We had fast and frantic sex as soon as the last of the builders left at about seven o’clock last night. We had multi-positional sex when we finally made it into bed at around nine, and then we had slow and lazy sex when I woke with Koa buried inside me from behind this morning.

  He then, I might add, brought me tea in a china cup and saucer. He’d served it naked. A tradition I hope he observes indefinitely.

  I spent this afternoon washing and ironing the new bedding for each room. There are shutters on the outside of the windows, but we fit new roller blinds to the insides.

  The furniture turned up earlier, luckily both rooms have built-in wardrobes—or closets as Koa calls them—and now Lee, Dean, and Koa are in Kai’s room putting his bed, bedside tables, and a massive chest of drawers in place.

  They have also fixed a flat screen television to the wall, as well as some shelves surrounding a purpose-built desk that Koa spent most of yesterday afternoon and this morning working on.

  Shannon is also here, and we’re both standing in the kitchen sipping wine. What was going to be our girls’ night has turned into couples’ night, plus Lee. Once the boys are done putting the furniture together, we’re all off to Mo’s to listen to some band play.

  “When does Kai’s flight get in?”

  “Not till the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving.”

  She eyes me over her wine glass.

  “I’m assuming that watching the two of you together, things have changed?”

  “Yeah, things have changed.”

  “I knew it!” She slaps her palm down on her thigh and laughs. “Damn girl, the way he looks at you. That shit is seriously intense. This whole thing, the way you met, is gonna be one hell of a story you’re gonna have to tell the grandbabies.”

  I go to the fridge and pull out another bottle of wine. I feel slightly cold and shivery. I should be drinking red, not white. Though I think it’s the conversation that’s making me feel this way, so it probably doesn’t matter what I drink.

  “Not sure if grandbabies are on the agenda just yet, not sure if Koa even wants more kids. To be honest, our whole relationship is a little undefined.”

  I probably sound insecure, and I suppose, that is what I am. But I’m also happy, ecstatic in fact. I just need a moment to draw breath, to get my head around everything and what it all might mean for my future—our future.

  “Undefined? What I saw when you two were dancing on Sunday, the way he held you and looked at you? Whew, girl.” She fans her face. “That was damn hot. I was worried I was gonna end up pregnant just from watching the pair of you. Shit, I was worried that Dean might end up pregnant. So, if it’s a label you’re looking, try ‘damn fucking hot’ as a starter.”

  This makes me smile but doesn’t help me think any clearer as I recall Koa and the way he moved while we danced.

  “Yeah, the man can move,” I say around my smile.

  “Oh, Gracie, girl, you have no idea. Tonight, at the bar, when the band takes a break, do us all a favour, drop some coins in the jukebox and play “Wobble”, then you’ll see just how well Koa Carmichael can move.”

  “Good?”

  “The best, but I’m guessing you’re already getting a taste of his moves.”

  I smile big. Hard not to when I recall Koa and his moves—his other moves.

  “That’s just sex, though. I mean......what if it wears off, what if the attraction doesn’t last?

  “Well, only the two of you can work that one out. I’ve only been in your company once before now, but I know what I see and feel when you’re together, and there is definitely chemistry there.”

  “It’s been days Chemistry can soon wear off.”

  “Then enjoy it while it lasts.”

  “But what happens when it runs out? What happens if it doesn’t, and it’s still there in six months when I have to leave?”

  “Jesus, woman, do you always worry about everything this way?”

  “Yes,” I tell her honestly.

  “Damn.”

  We both stare at the floor while we sip our wine.

  “Do you think it’s possible to start falling in love with someone just a week after meeting them?”

  “I think anything’s possible, especially when it comes to Koa Carmichael. He’s not a hard man to love, even when he doesn’t let you in. But it sounds to me like he has his door wide open for you.”

  “So, what do you know about Lexi?” Shannon’s eyes widen.

  “Oh my God, yeah. I almost forgot what I was going to tell you. Lexi Ashwell, we
ll, She’s been Koa’s fuck piece on and off for years. He’s never officially told me anything about Lexi. She likes to make out when she’s in town that there’s more to it than what there is, but we all know it for what it really is. She’s a fuck piece. Harsh, I know, but it’s the truth. He never takes her out, brings her to parties or social occasions, and she’s never even been around his kids unless they’ve bumped into each other accidentally. Which, I don’t think has ever happened. At least I’ve never heard Kai mention her. Why? What’s he said to you about her?”

  “Are there others?”

  “Not that I know of, but like I said, Koa doesn’t give too much about anything away.”

  I put down my wine glass and rub at my eyes as I groan.

  “You okay?”

  When I move my hands out of the way, I see that Koa is standing in front of me.

  “What?”

  “I asked if you’re okay.”

  “I’ve no clue what I am right now, Cowboy.”

  He looks across at Shannon, who shrugs.

  “I’m just gonna grab my jacket,” I call over my shoulder.

  I’ve no clue why my mood has taken a downward turn this evening, but I’m determined to shake it off and enjoy myself tonight. I just need a minute to get my head on straight and maybe a few more wines.

  “What’s eating her?” I hear Koa ask.

  “I’ve no idea, but play your cards right, it could be you later, Carmichael.”

  “Shannon!” Dean admonishes.

  “Oh hush, Dean, and pour me another wine.”

  MO’S IS PACKED, MUCH BUSIER than it was on Sunday night for the game. Luckily, Dean’s brother Mason is already here and has pulled two high-top tables and stools together and a piece of thick, folded paper, with ‘Reserved’ written on it, is sitting on top.

  There’s table service tonight and as soon as we take our seats a waitress comes over to take our orders.

  Lee drove us here, and we’re either going to taxi or Uber it back to the cabin. This means that Koa is drinking, and by drinking, I mean he orders a beer and a bourbon. He then asks the waitress to bring a bottle of wine for Shannon and me to share, rather than keep ordering individual glasses, so it looks like I’m drinking, too.

  Koa helps me off with my jacket, and I settle myself on a stool. The band isn’t on the stage yet, and the jukebox is playing. There are few people already on the dance floor, and the place has a really good buzz about it.

  It suddenly strikes me how at home I feel. I’ve been here a little over a week, and my life has done a complete Fresh Prince, it got flipped and turned upside down. These people are now my friends, this is my new normal, and Koa is my new, I don’t know what.

  I decided right at that moment to get over myself, enjoy my surroundings, the company, and to drink copious amounts of wine.

  Koa stands next to my stool, his arm resting across the back. I watch as one after the other, both men and women come up and shake his hand and tell him that it’s good to see him.

  When a tall, lean man, who’s wearing black jeans and a checked flannel shirt, makes a beeline towards us, Koa steps away from me and towards him. I can’t hear their exchange, but I watch the handshake and man cuddle that goes on between them. Koa obviously knows this man better than most of the others who have stopped by to say hello.

  He turns and faces me, a big smile on his face, and then the man steps forward.

  “Gracie, this is Blake Edwards, he’s the bass guitarist for our band.” I smile and hold out my hand. “Blake, this is my girl, Gracie Elliott.”

  I stop smiling.

  No. I don’t. I keep smiling, but it’s now frozen in place.

  He just introduced me as his girl.

  His fucking girl.

  “Hey, Gracie, pleased to meet you.”

  I keep smiling as he takes my hand. Koa watches me. I smile some more and eventually manage, “Hi, it’s good to meet you.”

  Hi? Fucking hi? Since when did I start saying hi? I’m becoming Americanised. And, apparently, Koa’s girl.

  Americanised and Koa’s girl and I’ve only been here a week. See? Flipped, turned, and all upside down.

  The people start to clap and cheer, and it’s because the band is making their way to the stage. Koa leans in and asks right into my ear, “You okay, Essex?”

  “Yep, I’m good.”

  “Blake reckons these guys are outstanding. Our label is looking at signing them, that’s why he came to check them out.”

  I nod.

  “You told him I was your girl.”

  He’s looking at the stage and not at me.

  “You got a problem with that? Is that not what you are?”

  “You tell me?”

  He finally turns and looks at me, takes a swig from his bottle and says, “Yep, you’re my girl.”

  “Good. Glad we got that cleared up. And just to clarify, does that make you my man, bloke, geezer, guy, whatever?”

  He smiles.

  “Geezer? I swear Gracie you just make half these words up as you go along.”

  “I really don’t, Google it—oh you can’t. I keep forgetting.”

  I pull my phone from my back pocket and pretend to answer it.

  “Hello, yeah, one minute.”

  I look at Koa, Shannon, Dean, Lee, Mason, and Blake, who are now all watching.

  “It’s for you,” I tell Koa, pointing my phone at him but not handing it over.

  “It’s nineteen-ninety-nine, they wanna know if they can have their phone back.”

  “Jesus, Carmichael, please tell me you’re not still using that flip phone?” Blake asks.

  Everybody else laughs. Koa licks his lips, smiles, and nods at me.

  “Gracie gets a few wines inside her and turns into a comedian.”

  “Comedienne,” I correct him. “Remember, I’m female, which also makes me funnier. And,” I add, tossing him a smile, “get a few more wines inside me, play your cards right, Cowboy, you might just get inside me, too.”

  That earns me a few whistles and a round of applause. I also get Koa between my legs as he kisses me stupid in front of everyone.

  “That a promise, Essex?” He finally comes up for air and asks.

  “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

  “We should leave now then.”

  “Nope, delayed gratification is half the pleasure. I want you thinking about the fact that I plan on sliding that big, beautiful cock of yours right to the back of my throat when we get home.”

  “Gracie!” He says my name like it’s a warning. “We’re in a bar full of people, and now I’ve got a raging fucking hard-on.”

  “Oops. Soz.”

  The band have apparently finished tuning up and one-twoing into their microphones, because one of them chooses that moment to announce, “Thanks for coming out to see us on this cold, cold night Addison, a special shout-out goes to local boys Koa Carmichael and Blake Edwards from yours and our favourite band, That Addison Sound. Give it up for them ladies and gentleman, please.”

  “This is not happening.” Koa groans as a spotlight is aimed right at him. He turns awkwardly, keeping one hand innocently hanging at the front of his jeans, while he waves with the other.

  “Just wondering guys, if you wouldn’t mind getting up here in a bit and joining us.”

  The crowd goes absolutely wild and Koa and Blake both nod, seriously, what else could they do?

  “Okay, have a think about what you wanna sing and let us know. Now, we’re gonna start with something you should all know.”

  It’s “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. I don’t know how I know this, I just do. It’s one of those songs that people just know.

  Shannon passes me a glass of wine, and I take a sip, watching as the dance floor fills with people. I look across at Koa and see that he’s watching me as he sings along to the song and smiles. I’ve no clue what he’s thinking right now, but he looks happy, and that makes me happy. We stare at
each other and something, something that’s almost tangible passes between us, interrupted only when Blake says something into Koa’s ear and he turns his attention from me to listen.

  “Welp, thank fuck I have an IUD firmly lodged in my uterus. Otherwise, that look you two just shared would have just turned me into Octo-mom.”

  I don’t even blush at Shannon’s comment, because it’s true, whatever that was, it was hot.

  “Finish your drinks, let’s dance,” she orders.

  I do as I’m told and let her lead me to the dance floor, where I attempt to copy what everyone else is doing. We’re only out there for two songs before Koa and Blake get called up on stage, and I feel sick with anticipation. I’m gonna see and hear him perform live. If that look didn’t get me pregnant, I wonder if his voice will?

  Koa puts a guitar strap over his head, so it rests on his shoulder and chest, the guitar hanging in front of him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything sexier in my life.

  He finishes talking to the rest of the band, adjusts the mic stand, so it’s a little higher, and then nods at Blake before they start to play.

  I’m standing right at the front of the stage, Shannon has her arm slung across my shoulder, Koa’s eyes find mine for just a second before he closes them and starts to sing.

  It’s not a song I can say I’ve ever heard, but it’s exquisite, his voice even better. It’s like silk sliding over gravel as he sings about being held close and giving his heart a smile. He opens his eyes occasionally, and each and every time, they not only find mine, but they find my heart too, and maybe a few other parts.

  “What is this song?” I ask Shannon.

  “It’s called ‘Feels so Right’, it’s by a band called Alabama.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “I never thought so till now. Go home and look up the lyrics Gracie and stop doubting for a minute what that man up there feels about you.”

  The song ends to rapturous applause from the audience. He takes off his guitar, shakes hands with Blake and the rest of the band, and steps off the stage, straight into my arms.

  “That was fantastic,” I tell him.

  His hands slide to my arse, and he pulls me flush against him.

  “You liked that?”