Of Yesterday

by Alta Hensley

  "Well, we're just getting to know each other," Taylor defended.

  "There's no timeline on love. You can feel it as fast as you want. It's just that most people are too scared to allow the feeling." Mandy stood up and made her way to the door. "It's not a bad thing to love."

  Taylor nodded. Amazed at how clear and simple Mandy could make things.

  "Don't be sad anymore, Taylor. Go downstairs and talk to him. I'm going to bed." Mandy turned around and walked out the door, leaving a surprising trail of wisdom behind her.

  ****

  Jason found Taylor in the parlor. Moonlight spilled across her nightgown-clad body, highlighting her as she sat curled up on the couch. With her head rested on her knees, her shoulders slumped, and her arms wrapped tightly around her body, her posture told a story of sadness and doubt. He silently cursed himself when he heard the soft sigh that escaped her.

  She did not move as he walked in the room, approaching her. Dropping to his knees before her, Jason took her hands and felt her chilled skin. He rubbed her hands between his, sharing his warmth, and calmly waited for her to respond to his presence. She finally raised her head and looked at him. The tears glistening in her eyes broke his heart.

  "Your hands feel like ice. You need to take better care of yourself. You aren’t used to an older, drafty house." Jason grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her.

  "I’m not used to a lot of things, I guess." She freed one of her hands and pressed her palm to the side of his face. "I...I owe you an apology." Taylor swallowed the lump in the back of her throat. "Can we talk?" Jason nodded and stood. "Yes, I’m going to go make us some coffee to warm you up. I’ll be right back." Taylor sat alone in the room for a moment before deciding to follow him, not wanting to be away for even a moment. She leaned her body against the door jamb of the kitchen, staring at Jason making the coffee. "So do I have a spanking coming?" She tried to smile through her nervousness.

  Jason looked up and returned the smile. "Yes. I told you I would, and I'm a man of my word."

  Jason walked over and grabbed Taylor's hands, pulling her over to the chair, sitting her on his lap. She relaxed her weight against him, soaking up the feel of his body heat. He began to place soft kisses along her neck, gently moving the wisps of curls that had fallen from her pony tail. A sense of intimacy shrouded her with love. She knew without a doubt that this was where she belonged. She wanted only one thing, only one person…Jason Winters.

  "Jason…I know I have a temper. I jumped to conclusions. I guess the truth of the matter is I was hurt. If my feelings get hurt, I get mean. It’s how I protect myself. I know it isn’t right, but it’s how I’ve always been."

  Jason picked up her hand, using his calloused thumb to caress it. "You’re going to have to learn to trust me. And you’re going to have to learn to listen to me."

  Taylor nodded. She knew she needed to allow her defenses to be down and stop with the constant battle. With Jason’s arms wrapped around her, holding her, comforting her, she knew that he could give her everything she ever craved. His embrace gave her the sense of hope that she could feel this way always with him. He had the power to make her feel loved and cared for. The question still remaining was if Taylor was able to hand over the power.

  "When the O’Keefe brothers asked for your hand in marriage, I wanted to kill them. They’re both good men, outstanding, in fact, but I wanted to destroy them for even considering it." Jason’s jaw tightened.

  "But they think I’m just someone living in your house to help with your sister. They didn’t know."

  "Right. But they gave me a lot to consider. For one, the idea of you being with another man was out of the question. I was possessive, and jealous. This had to mean something. Frankly, I felt you were mine."

  Taylor adjusted her weight, feeling slightly unnerved by his honesty.

  "Second, they brought up the fact that you and I living this way is not appropriate for our new society we’re working so hard to build."

  Taylor’s defensive walls seemed to be building back up. Was this all about his precious community project?

  He was silent a moment before he continued, "They brought up the morals of yesterday. And I’m ashamed that we…I…am not following something I so desperately want to live by."

  Taylor stood up and walked to the sink. Looking out the window, with her back to him, she asked, "So are you regretting having sex with me?"

  "Honestly?" he asked, pausing to consider. "Yes."

  The sting of his admittance made Taylor’s eyes begin to tear up. She took a deep breath to try to control the pain ripping through her heart. A tear trickled down her face as she thought about how she had actually thought this place could be her home. That maybe this was the place she had always belonged. She had fallen in love with Mandy, the house, her lifestyle and even…had fallen in love with Jason.

  The pain slowly began to change to anger, even rage. So, when faced with the ridiculous morals of yesterday, she was no longer good enough. Jason just saw her as the witch who lied to her customers to pay her bills. She did not measure up and never would.

  Jason was an honest, virtuous, and trustworthy man. He lived by his rules and expected everyone to do the same. She loved him. She wanted him. And the realization that he did not want the same was devastating.

  She turned to face him, shaking her head. "I thought you were different. But you obviously are just like any other man. Just want a good fuck, heh?" She wiped the tears from her eyes and attempted to make her exit.

  Jason stood in front of her, blocking her escape. "Once again, Taylor, you’re jumping to conclusions. Stop for one second and listen to me." His voice boomed.

  He opened his arms to her and she gently moved into his warm embrace. Her hand softly resting against his chest. She wanted more of the passion they just recently shared. She wanted to feel, and taste, and bathe in Jason's sexual essence.

  Softly, he wrapped his arm around her lower back, pulling her in close. His arms feeling so good around her made Taylor want to sob at the thought of losing him forever. There was so much fire between them, yet so much distance keeping them apart. She needed to come to terms that nothing would come of this attraction, because she was never going to be good enough. She was never going to be the woman he had built an entire town to find. He wanted everything Taylor obviously could not give.

  "Stop trying to fight me every chance you get. Look at me, Taylor. Look at me and stop thinking the worst."

  She did as he commanded and looked into his alluring blue eyes. His lips only inches away. So close that she could almost taste them against hers. How she wanted to just stop anymore conversation and feel his lips and his body molded against hers. She wanted to forget their problems if only for a moment. She needed his comfort, and she needed his love.

  "Marry me."

  "Wh...what?" Taylor starred at Jason in stunned silence. Not sure how to respond to what she was hearing.

  "I think we can be happy together. We can build a life together. A new life in this new town." His voice was low as he kissed the top of her head. "This is my dream, Taylor. I want you to be part of it."

  Taylor just looked at him, not sure she was quite understanding. But she wanted to believe him. She wanted desperately to believe him. Could she be dreaming this? Was she misunderstanding him?

  "Taylor?" He pulled away enough to lift her chin so she was forced to meet his gaze. "I know this seems fast, and it is. We still have so much to learn about each other, and our relationship has a long ways to grow. But I want to do this right. I can't have you living under my roof in sin. It's not right for you, or any of us. You deserve to be treated with all my respect. I feel you're mine." He paused to kiss her forehead. "No, you are mine. And it's about time I do what's right."

  She could not believe Jason just proposed. This was not exactly how she had this moment pictured, but she would take him anyway she could get him – romantic or not.

  She wrapped her arms around hi
s neck and buried her face in his throat, pressing her lips tenderly against his pulse. "Yes, yes I will."

  He tipped her head back and pressed his lips softly to hers. She closed her eyes and took pleasure in the simple sweetness.

  "This is a good place, Taylor. A great dream."

  Taylor's head cocked to the side and she stared up at him skeptically. "Are you sure you want me? Can I give you what you need?"

  He nodded. "You already have. I promise you one thing: I'll do everything within my power to give you what you need. I'll make a good husband, and hopefully someday, an even better father."

  Jason grabbed her hand and walked her over to the kitchen chair. "Now, about that spanking."

  "What? You just proposed! You can't spank me."

  "Get used to it, Darlin'. With me as your husband, you'll have a lifetime of those in store."

  Taylor smiled. "Is it too late to change my mind? Maybe we should just be friends." She winked.

  He chuckled. "No getting out of it. You earned this." Jason sat down and pulled her over his lap.

  Taylor did not offer any resistance. Completely different than the last spanking, where she kicked and screamed her way through it. There was something erotic about laying across a man's lap. The alpha in Jason made her inner core melt.

  Jason lifted her nightgown, exposing her panties. Before Taylor could protest, he applied a swat that nearly took her breath away.

  "So we are clear."

  SWAT, SWAT, SWAT.

  "You are never to storm away from me," SPANK, SPANK. "And you are never to not open a door to me."

  SPANK, SPANK.

  "Yes, yes! Just stop spanking me!" Taylor tried to reach back with her hand to protect her punished behind, only to have Jason grab her hands and pin them behind her back.

  Even with her protests, there was a part of her that wanted more, harder and quicker spanks. His hand delivered a sting, right alongside a taboo pleasure.

  He continued to spank a few moments longer, before stopping. "I'm not always right. I'll do things to anger you. But never is it appropriate for you to walk away."

  SPANK, SPANK.

  "Are we clear?"

  "Yes."

  Jason pulled her up so they were both standing. He wrapped his arms securely around her, pulling her into his chest. He kissed her forehead as he rubbed light circles on her burning butt. The sting in her ass was nothing compared to the throbbing in her pussy. She wanted Jason, more than she ever did before.

  She felt her breasts growing heavy, starving for his touch as his gaze dropped to them. Her face glowed as her nipples hardened. His stare only made her pussy dampen with need.

  "Taylor." His hands tightened on her bottom. "I hope you know I would give my life for you. I wouldn't let you go without a fight."

  Before Taylor even realized it, she had pulled Jason's shirt from the waistband of his jeans. Exposing her desire to have him, she ran her fingers up his muscled chest. She looked up into his eyes and slowly removed his shirt completely. The need to have him tortured her pussy, punished her body.

  "You like it when I spank you. Don't you?" he growled.

  All she could do was nod in response.

  "You like when I take control and demand your surrender." He tilted her chin with his fingers so her gaze directly locked with his.

  She nodded once again. The need to have him deep within her drove Taylor nearly insane. She reached for the button of his pants and rapidly worked them off his body. Having his nude body standing before her only made the fire inside blaze to a full inferno.

  Taylor fought for breath as Jason grabbed her panties and lowered them past her feet. She arched to him as he lifted the dress above her head, allowing their bare skin to make contact. Jason cupped her breasts, causing Taylor's moans to fill the air.

  "And you like knowing that after I spank that tight ass of yours, I'll press my cock into you, making you scream my name," Jason whispered sensually, his voice tight and rough.

  She trembled, her body shuddering with the thought of what was to come. "Please," she begged.

  Taylor cried out in desperation as Jason plunged two thick fingers deep inside her hungry pussy. Raking across her clit with his thumb, he twisted his fingers inside. Pulling her orgasm to the surface, Taylor rocked her body against his hand.

  Jason's eyes blazed as he stared down at her. "You're so wet for me, Taylor. Spanking your naughty behind makes you want more."

  Taylor nodded, her vagina clenching around his fingers as they moved in and out. "Yes!" Her body was on fire. Aching with arousal, she grabbed his cock and began to stoke. "Fuck me, Jason. I need you. I need you, now."

  Jason brought her over to the kitchen table and sat her against the cold wood. Spreading her legs wide with his hands, he pressed his hardness in, stretching her with every inch forward.

  "I want it hard. Hard!" Taylor demanded as she fought to take him deeper and faster.

  He took hold of her hips, taking control over her desperately thrusting body. Sinking all the way to hilt, Jason moaned with ragged breath. Taylor tossed her hair in abandon and cried out against the agonizing pleasure. She felt her release building, higher and higher with every drive of Jason's thick cock. With hard driving strokes, he demanded, he dominated, he claimed her body as his. Mixing pleasure with bite, Taylor's pussy spasmed as the orgasm violently rocked her body. Jason gripped her hips tighter, groaning deeply as she felt his come fill her quaking flesh.

  Chapter Eleven

  Gazing out the window and seeing the first hint of light on the eastern sky was something Taylor was falling in love with. She followed the lines of the newly whitewashed fence that surrounded the garden she and Mandy had been working so hard to create. Taylor smiled, knowing that Jason had taken the time to do it without even being asked. His little addition made her feel more connected to him than she already did. Looking out onto the land they all worked so hard to build filled her with such gratification. She cherished everything about this place– the silence, the peace, and the sense of...home.

  She hummed to herself as she rolled out several pie crusts. With damp and gentle hands, she placed them in the pie tins, excited to surprise her new family with her newfound culinary expertise. Carefully trimming around the edges with a knife, she nearly sliced her finger when something odd caught the corner of her eye.

  The halfway-constructed barn to the far left of the house had black smoke billowing out from it. Her heart plummeted as she tried to figure out what to do next.

  "Fire!" Her scream shattered the air with terror. "Jason, wake up! The barn’s on fire!"

  There was no sign of Jason anywhere. He must have left early as usual. Or, dear God…what if he was in the fire? "Mandy! Mandy!" What if she was too?

  Moments later, Mandy came running to the top of the stairs. "What’s wrong?" Her voice quaked with panic.

  "The barn’s on fire. I need to go save the animals. Stay here! Don’t leave this house, you understand?"

  Quicker than she thought possible for her legs to move, Taylor ran out of the house toward the burning building.

  The door to the barn was closed. She could hear the frightened animals inside. They were at least alive…for now. She yanked open the door of the barn with all her strength. The smoke and the fumes hit her with a force that obstructed her vision. She coughed and wheezed as she tried to make her way inside. She could see the flames engulfing the hay, the wood, and very soon the animals. Smoke clouded her eyes and made it close to impossible to breathe and she was not even all the way inside. Should she go in? Common sense screamed no, but the shrill from the horses compelled her to rush inside, against any better judgment.

  "Jason! Jason, are you in here?" Oh, please no. Please do not be in here, she prayed.

  Each beat of her heart pounded against her chest. Fear almost paralyzed her as she scanned the inferno. Running to the stalls, she began to unlatch the wooden doors, allowing the animals to make their escape. She continued on t
o each stall, trying not to breathe in the toxic air. Each gulp of the smoke threatened to consume her consciousness. Her head spinning, her chest heaving, and her body growing weak, Taylor wondered if she could go on any further.

  The air was getting worse and the wooden beams above her were beginning to burn and break loose. Taylor knew she did not have much time left. Taking a deep breath and holding it, she reached the last stall that held her favorite horse. Desperate to make her own escape, she followed the horse’s flight route. With cinders flying through the air and beams crashing all around her, Taylor could only hope that Jason was not trapped anywhere inside.

  Mistakenly, she turned around one last time, to make sure she had rescued all. The haze had grown so thick that Taylor could no longer tell which way was out. Her lungs demanded air that Taylor could not find. The realization that she could die besieged her with fear.

  "Taylor! Where are you?" She could hear Jason’s voice amongst the popping and cracking of the blaze. He was in the barn! Was he hurt?

  "Jason! Jason!"

  She felt his hands wrap around her body, and in one swift move, he picked her up and started to charge past the embers and the roar of the flames. Behind them, a splintering beam came crashing down, causing a chain reaction of others to follow. Jason dove toward the exit, spilling him and Taylor down to the ground. The orange flames were all around as Jason pushed Taylor to escape, both rolling away from the barn.

  Mere seconds from death, they crawled their way to safety and fresh air. Gasping for breath, choking against the pungent vapors still burning the back of her throat, Taylor allowed the tears to escape her body. She had survived. Jason had survived. Relief washed over her as she felt Jason lift her up and carry her further away from the crumbling barn.

  She clung to his neck as he ran toward the house. "Mandy, run into town and get the doctor! Quick!"

  Taylor opened her burning, irritated eyes long enough to see that men were rushing to the fire with buckets of water. Chaos was all around, and yet she felt safe in Jason’s arms.