“You just don’t understand,” John replied.
Zoe giggled.
“I understand,” she replied. “Seeing you in the shower this morning proved it. You’re more hot and horny than you’ve ever felt in your life, right?”
He didn’t answer.
“I know you think about me,” she said.
He turned to stare out the passenger’s side window.
“I know you want me.”
She shifted her hand from his thigh and rested it on his groin. John knew there was no way he could hide his quickly pulsing cock. It began to grow once more.
Shit, he thought.
“I know you want to fuck me.”
John reached down and placed his hand over hers.
“Okay,” he said. “You’re right. You make it pretty difficult for a guy to say no, that’s for sure. I’ll tell you one thing, you’re persistent, no doubt about it.”
She smiled, “I always get what I want.”
He picked up her hand, removed it from his groin and placed it on her lap.
“And there’s no doubt that I’ve thought about you and got all…ah…‘hot and horny’ as you said, but that doesn’t change anything.”
“You have an active fantasy life then?” she asked.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, you said yourself you were thinking about me. Do you fantasise often about women you can’t sleep with?”
“I don’t think that’s unnatural. All men do it.”
Zoe giggled. “That’s about right.”
“And it’s hard not to fantasise about you. I mean, you flaunt what you’ve got – all of it – and leave very little to the imagination.”
She turned her head and smiled at him. “I’m only trying to show you what you’re missing if you turn me down.”
John let out a short laugh. “I already know what I’m missing.”
Boy, do I!
There was another silence between them, filled only with the constant white noise of the air rushing against the Jeep.
John continued to peer through his side window. Any sign of civilisation had disappeared long ago now. The arc of light from the headlights barely reached to the side of the road. All he could make out were trees and bushes; there were no other lights or signs of life.
He wondered if they really were doing the right thing.
“Do you think I’m beautiful?” Zoe asked.
“Huh?” John was surprised by the question. “Well, Zoe, I think you know the answer to that.”
She smirked. “I’m making you uncomfortable again, aren’t I? I’m sorry.”
“No, no, I’m not uncomfortable. I just think you know the answer, that’s all.”
“But I don’t, that’s why I’m asking you.”
“You can figure out what I think of you after catching me in the shower today.”
Zoe shook her head. “No, that just means you’d fuck me…or want to anyway. I asked you if I’m beautiful, not sexy.”
John sat in silence for a moment, thinking about the question.
“Yes, I think you’re beautiful.”
What else can I say? he thought.
But he realised he truly meant it. She was beautiful.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Zoe jumped in her seat as she shouted for joy. The Jeep swerved on the road.
“Don’t get too excited,” John said. “Keep your eyes on the road.”
Again, the silence.
John turned to watch Zoe as she drove. Her face was beaming now; she wore a large smile and her eyes were wide. The bun at the back of her head continued to hold her hair, although a few strands had begun to escape. The rivets in her t-shirt were illuminated from the lights of the dashboard.
“Why did you ask that?” he asked.
“Ask what?”
“About whether I thought you were beautiful.”
“I just wanted to know, that’s all.”
“But you must know that already.”
She shook her head, “No. I didn’t.”
“Come on, stop fooling.”
“I didn’t know it,” she glanced over to him. “No one’s ever said that to me before.”
“Of course they have!”
“No, they haven’t.”
“I don’t believe you,” John replied. “You can’t tell me that Fox never said that to you, or one of your other boyfriends or someone else has never said that to you.”
She shook her head, “They haven’t.”
“But you’ve had relationships,” John continued.
Zoe nodded, “Yeah, relationships based on sex, Johnny. Nothing more. I know I’m a good fuck, in fact, I’m a great fuck. People have told me that, but no one’s ever said I was beautiful before. I’m great in bed, on top, on bottom, on my knees, on the ground, 69, you name it and I’ve done it. I’m terrific no matter what position you put me in, but I’ve never been called beautiful before.”
Her voice broke on her last words and she raised her hand to her face, as if to steady it and to control the tears that were trying to escape.
John reached over and rubbed her shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Zoe pulled herself together and continued. “You see, Johnny, you’re the kind of guy who has sex with someone because you love them. The guys I’ve been with want to have sex because you’re worth screwing. There’s a difference.”
John nodded, “Yeah, I see that now.”
“Do you understand what I mean?”
He nodded and took her hand.
“Yes,” he whispered. “And I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“Sorry that you’ve had to deal with all these assholes who want you only for your body.”
She turned to him and smiled, “Thanks, Johnny. That means a lot to me.”
“You deserve better. You deserve someone who will love you and treat you right and with the respect you should be given.”
“I know.”
“You need to be as far away from Fox as possible.”
She nodded, “Yeah, I know that too. But we’re driving straight towards him now. Escaping from him is never going to happen.”
“Oh yes it is.” John replied. “I’m going to help you get away from him. And we’re going to succeed.”
She glanced over at him once again. “I hope you’re right.”
“I’m right.”
“I hope we do succeed.”
“We will. We’ll fight him at his own game and I’ll make sure that I leave Hepburn Lakes with both you and Helen. You can stay with us until you get on your feet and then you’ll be free.”
Zoe squeezed his hand tight. “Thanks, Johnny, that means a lot to me.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
“If there’s any way I can repay you,” she continued.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“But you should get something in return.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“Maybe I can help you and Helen.”
“Huh?”
“You know, with the problems you’ve been having.”
John frowned, “I don’t think so.”
Zoe had an excited look in her eyes. “Yeah, I could! Maybe I could talk to you both, sit you down and see if we can bring you two closer together.”
“You don’t have to do anything, believe me.”
“Maybe we can work through the problems together. You know, the way we’ve talked through mine.”
“I don’t think it’s that easy, Zoe.”
“Yeah, sure it is! We’ll find out Helen’s reasons for the way she is and I’ll find out yours and we’ll work something out.”
“I don’t think so!”
Zoe continued to stare at the road. John followed her stare and watched as the road stretched out before them. He looked for anything different in the small patch of light shining from the headlights in fro
nt of them.
It all looked the same.
He wondered where Helen was now, and whether she was okay. He wouldn’t let Fox harm her, but there was very little he could do or say about it until they met face to face tomorrow. Then he would teach the bastard a lesson.
At least, he hoped he could.
Hang in there Helen, he thought. I’m on my way.
“What about a threesome?”
“What?” he turned to face her, his jaw dropping.
“I said, what about a threesome? Would that help?”
John was astounded. “Are you serious?”
“Of course!” Zoe seemed surprised by his question. “Maybe a threesome would help Helen feel more relaxed or something. Maybe we can all work it out that way.”
“A threesome?” John shook his head.
“Yeah, you know. Helen and me and you.”
“I know what you mean! I just can’t believe you suggested it!”
“Why not? It’s perfectly natural.”
“Natural?”
“Sure! And that way maybe I can bring you two closer together. Guide you both and work things out.”
“Ahuh.”
“What do you think?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t think so, Zoe.”
She pouted, “It would be fun.”
“I don’t think Helen would go for something like that, believe me. She’s not that kind of woman.”
Zoe smirked, “But you would?”
John shook his head in amazement and let out a laugh. He stared at her and paused before answering.
“Don’t ask things like that, Zoe.”
She giggled. “I thought so. Caught you out there! You’d like it, wouldn’t you?”
“Zoe, don’t –”
“You’d be in a threesome with me anytime, right?”
“Please, can we change the subject now?”
“I don’t know why you’ve turned all conservative on me all of a sudden,” she threw him a wicked glance. “It’s perfectly natural. What three people decide to do in the privacy of their own home is their own business. There’s nothing to worry about. You’d sure enjoy it.”
“I’m sure I would,” John replied. “But it’s not going to happen.”
Zoe laughed. “Come on, Johnny, are you telling me you’ve never had a threesome?”
“Never.”
“Not once?”
“Not once.”
“Really?” Zoe looked surprised.
“Really.”
“Well, you’re missing out on a great time,” she said.
“Oh, so I guess you’re Queen of the Orgies then?” he asked.
“Orgies? Yuck! No way. I’m no orgy girl. A threesome isn’t an orgy, Johnny. It’s just a lot of fun.”
“And how many have you had?” he had to ask.
“Only two,” she replied.
“Only two? You sound disappointed.”
“I’d like to make it three,” she smiled at him. “You, Helen and me.”
“No way,” he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“You don’t know what you’re missing!”
“I think I have a pretty good idea,” he replied.
They drove further without saying anything.
This girl is full of surprises, John thought as he shook his head.
Eventually, he couldn’t resist. “You’ve done threesomes before?”
“Yeah,” Zoe replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “I mean, first of all, it wasn’t my idea. I had a girlfriend who liked having threesomes with her boyfriend and another girlfriend of hers. But then that girl moved to another state. So, my girlfriend asked me if I’d be interested in doing it with her and her boyfriend. Of course, I was a bit nervous to begin with, I didn’t just jump in there and say, ‘Okay, what position do you want me in?’ But after a few drinks I got relaxed enough to try it and then we had a real good time. Eventually though, she and her boyfriend broke up. So, once I talked it over with Ricky, we invited her to join us. She was thrilled with the idea.”
“You invited her to have sex with you and Fox?”
“I think Ricky was even more excited than she was! Men really seem to enjoy it.”
“You knew how dangerous Ricky was, and you invited her to join you?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Zoe continued. “She was a long-time friend of Ricky’s. She knew the score. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if they’d slept together before anyway. Or since, for that matter.”
John shook his head and sat in silence.
“It’s perfectly natural,” Zoe continued.
“Yeah, yeah,” John replied.
“So what do you say?” Zoe said after a pause. “You, me and Helen?”
“Huh? No! The answer is still no!”
“You mean you seriously wouldn’t have a threesome with Helen and me?”
“Exactly.”
There was silence again in the car.
Why have a threesome when I could just have you, he thought to himself.
Then he felt ashamed for thinking it.
Still…
Suddenly, Zoe slammed on the brakes and pulled the steering wheel savagely to the right. The tyres screamed in the darkness and the Jeep swerved and shuddered onto the shoulder of the road.
“Hey, what the –?” John reached out to grab hold of something to steady himself.
The Jeep skidded along the gravel shoulder, the tyres throwing up a dust cloud around them. Eventually they came to a halt.
Zoe unbuckled her seatbelt, turned and leaned forward to face him. Their faces were inches apart.
“So you won’t have a threesome?” she asked again.
“No, I’ve already said that.”
“Why?”
“It doesn’t matter why.”
“Oh, I think it does,” Zoe’s eyes squinted as she stared into his soul.
“No, it doesn’t.”
She nodded. “Yes, it does. I’m starting to piece together your puzzle, Johnny.”
He sat back in the passenger’s seat. Suddenly the Jeep felt smaller; the air hot and dry.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he replied.
“All the pieces are starting to fit.”
“Pieces? What pieces?”
“It’s not that you won’t have a threesome with me,” she whispered. “It’s that you won’t have sex with your wife!”
John stared at her.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” her face broke into a half smile.
John knew he didn’t have to answer.
Fifteen
“I think it’s just over the next hill,” Zoe said as they continued driving into the night.
The Jeep shuddered along as the tyres bit into pot holes and bumps. The road had begun to deteriorate a few minutes after they had driven through Hepburn Lakes.
John had been relieved when he saw the sign welcoming them to Hepburn Lakes, as it meant their journey was almost over.
He had looked out the window as the town passed by in the hope of seeing some form of life. But all the house and shop windows were dark and there was no sign of anyone. The general store was the only building with a light burning in the night, and it was blinking on and off. Even the local hotel and bar was closed. And then, within seconds, they had left the town and were continuing along the lonely road.
A few minutes after that, Zoe had slowed down the Jeep and had begun looking from side to side.
“It’s around here somewhere,” she had mumbled.
Then she spotted the turn off to the left. John was sure that if they weren’t looking for the road, they would have driven straight past it just like everyone else.
“We’re almost there,” she had smiled to him as she turned the steering wheel and drove on.
He wanted to get to the church as soon as possible. He needed time out of the Jeep so he could get his thoughts together. They hadn’t spoken
much since they had talked about having a threesome and Zoe had worked out he wasn’t sleeping with Helen.
Was it that obvious? he thought to himself. If she could see that so clearly, who else could?
He needed time to plan how they were all going to escape from Ricky tomorrow, but all he could think about was Zoe. As he stared out the windshield of the Jeep, he pictured her naked on the sofa, then he remembered her on the bed today, spread with his bathrobe around her, her legs apart. Her parted vulva so tantalising.
“I just want to help you, Johnny,” she had whispered.
He remembered her pierced belly button and the diamond that sat inside it, and the way she had giggled when she had caught him erect in the shower.
And then he remembered her cowering behind the sofa, scared to move, and the stories she had told him about Fox and the way he hurt her.
That’s better, pal, he thought. Concentrate on Fox and how you’re going to turn the tables on him tomorrow.
They crested the hill and Zoe put her foot on the brakes.
“Yeah,” she said, almost to herself. “I think it should be on the right here somewhere. You can’t see the church from the road, but there’s a steep driveway along here somewhere.”
They continued driving slowly. John peered into the darkness, looking for the driveway and hoping that no one was at the church waiting for them.
He hadn’t thought about that possibility before, and now that he did, he was suddenly scared to venture any further into the night.
We should’ve driven up here tomorrow morning, he told himself. At least then we could see if anyone was already here awaiting our arrival.
But he kept the thought to himself as he didn’t want to panic Zoe with another possible problem. He just made sure that he was ready for anything.
There’s no turning back now.
John spotted a gap in the foliage ahead.
“There,” he pointed it out to her. “Is that it?”
Zoe glanced to where he was pointing.
“Yeah,” she replied. “I think so.”
She stopped the Jeep and stared up the dirt driveway.
“You know, a horrible thought just crossed my mind,” she said.
“I know,” John nodded. “It’s probably the same one that just crossed mine.”
She turned to face him, “What if they’re already up there waiting for us?”
Love Lies Dying Page 16