Awakening Veronica (26 page)

“Damn, you’re so hot and swollen. Ready for me?”

“Yes.” She quivered and arched her back, heightening her awareness of the plug, which made her clench on the foreign object. He leaned forward a few inches, pushing her with him until the head of his cock nudged at her opening. Her pussy pulsated with anticipation.

“You’re beautiful like this, Nika. Waiting for my first thrust. Ready to take whatever I give you. Ready to take my cock?”

“It’s so big, Travis. I want it. I want it all.”

He trapped her clit between two fingers and slid them back and forth as he thrust against her opening. The plug crowded him a little, so it took several thrusts before he found purchase and slid in a few inches. He wrapped his other arm around her torso and squeezed her to him and whispered, “You okay?”

“Yes, Yes, Travis. You feel so good. I’m not going to last.”

“Nika, brace yourself on your hands in front of you.”

He groaned as her movement gave him greater access and he toggled her clit while he played with the plug, drawing a gasp of surprise from her.

“I can’t wait to see my cock in your ass and Hank’s in your cunt, Nika. Going to be a beautiful sight.”

She couldn’t speak as she tried to process the barrage of sensations. He was enormous, surrounding her and controlling her. Leaning forward made her more aware of the clothespins on her nipples and on a whim, she teased the peaks of her tightly squeezed nipples. A flickering, knowing sensation built deep in her pelvis, letting her know her climax was close. Travis released the plug and grasped her hip as he started stroking her clit in circles.

“I love fucking you, Nika. Love it.” He thrust deeper and deeper, growling, “Take it, angel,” until she felt his hips against her ass. Sounding like he was gritting his teeth, he said, “Get ready.”

She moaned and braced her hands, ready for him. Her ass was aching, and she felt consumed by him with his cock buried so deep inside her. They couldn’t get any closer.

He began to thrust—slowly at first—gradually picking up speed until her breasts bounced with each movement, shooting tendrils of ecstatic sensation to her clit which was still trapped between his fingers. He increased the tension on it, almost pinching it, and her legs began to shake beneath her as the tension soared and soared, going higher until it finally exploded.

Waves of rapture pulsed all through her as he encouraged her in his rough, sexy voice. He grasped her hips hard with both hands and thrust deep, driving his cock in and out of her until all that was left was the barrage of sensations as another orgasm rolled through her and he howled with satisfaction.

Wrapping his arms around her, he held her so tight she couldn’t move, which sent her over the edge again, and the rumble in his chest vibrated through her as he came.

He whispered passionate words, telling her he loved fucking her. She loved it, too. The tender way he held her afterward made her heart burn with hope that there was more to this than lust. It was either hope for that or savor the memories she was making with them until she returned to Montana.

* * * *

“No, no, I understand completely, Jane,” Tabitha muttered into her phone, practically grinding her molars into dust.
I understand you’re no friend of mine.

“It would be one thing if I knew how long you needed to live with me. And of course there is the cat box issue. I already have my two cats, and you know how they are when they’re suddenly expected to share a box. Have you asked your mom?”

“Not yet. I was hoping…” —
to avoid having to humble myself…again
. Even the thought of what had happened to force her to move back home the last time made her cringe with shame.

Jane rattled on. “And you know you really don’t like my boyfriend anyway. You two probably wouldn’t get along and I’d just…Well, I hope you understand, hon.”

Sure, hon. I understand, hon. I’ve always been there for you and when you suddenly get a life, you don’t have time for your old friends. I get it. Ungrateful bitch.
That was what she got for taking Jane under her wing a few years before. Ever since she’d gotten a life and started hanging out with some of the other single people in Divine, unrepentant losers, she didn’t have time for Tabitha, or room, evidently.

“Well, I have to go, Tabitha. I wish you luck finding a place to live. It’s too bad you lost your job over that…misunderstanding.”

“You sound like you don’t believe me, Jane. It really was a misunderstanding.”

“Sure, sure. Why don’t you try your mom? She has that big house. Sure, she’s…your mom, but at least she’d have room in her house for your cats and all your stuff. Until you can find your own place, of course. I’m sure it’ll all work out. Hey, you should come visit the quilter’s group sometime. The ladies ask about you from time to time.”

With a sneer, Tabitha said, “I don’t have time for quilting these days. I’m too busy with Keep Divine Pure, and my blog and newsletter, to worry about crafting.” She also detested listening to those ladies go on about their husbands, families, and grandbabies.

“Well…all right then. You…be well, Tabitha.”

“You take care of yourself, Jane,” Tabitha ground out before ending the call.
Thankless bitch.

Well, that left only one other option.

Tabitha clenched her teeth as she looked at the touch screen on her phone. She really didn’t want to call that number but it looked like she had no choice. No job and no money meant she couldn’t pay her rent, which meant moving home until she found another job. Mr. Whiskers meowed plaintively as he rubbed against the leg of her green sweatpants. She dialed the number, praying for patience. This call wasn’t nearly as easy for her to make as Jane made it out to be.

“Hello?”

“Mom?”

“Eh? Oh, hello, Tabitha,” her mother said on the line, her elderly voice as strong as ever. “How are you?”

“Listen, Mom. I’ve lost my job and I need to move home.”

“Oh, good Lord! What now?” her mother shouted into the phone.

Shit.

* * * *

Hank held his cell phone away to protect his hearing from the shrill squeal on the other end of the phone but he could still hear Dr. Emma Rivers from a distance. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Hank, you’re the best. With you signed on, I’ll be able to talk some of the other big cheeses in Divine into participating. Do you think you can assemble your own team?”

“Another guy and a woman? Sure, no problem, Doc.”

Son, what have you gotten yourself into?

“The Wheelchair Drag Race Charity Relay is going to be a huge help to the Hill Country Boy’s Ranch, Hank. With Chance and Clayton Carlisle donating the use of the land, the funds they’ve raised so far, and the money from the relay and the Downtown Wassail Fest, they’ll be able to break ground next year.
Thank you
.”

Hank smiled. The gratitude in her voice choked him up a little but the warm fuzzies came to a screeching halt when she reminded him of one of the details in the relay race. “Do you need help getting your costumes ready?”

Wheelchair racing…in drag. Awesome.
“No, doc. I have someone who can help me put a costume together.”

“You’re not gonna flake on me, are you?” Emma replied with a giggle. “Remember, all those boys are counting on you.”

“Don’t worry about that. This is for a good cause. By the way, I know some other guys who I’m willing to bet would like to get involved, too.”

“Who?”

“Cody, Heath, and Spencer. They were raised in the foster care system. I’ll call them for you and if they’re interested, I’ll give them your number.”

“Wonderful. Thank you, Hank. Um, so….”

“Yeah?”

“I was curious…”

Hank chuckled and shook his head as he gazed out of his windshield at the long expanse of road in front of his department SUV. Emma was fishing. “About what?”

“The pretty lady you and that hot game warden friend of yours were flirting with Saturday night. Grace told me she’s a visiting writer from Montana.”

“The game warden is Travis McDaniel. I’ll make sure and introduce him to you next time. And the pretty lady is Veronica Benedict.”

“I don’t mean to be nosey. She seems kind of shy.” He could hear the questions in her statement.

“She is until you get to know her. She’s a sweetheart, too.”

“The name sounds familiar. I’ll have to look her up. Well, I wish you the best of luck with her, if things…Well, crap.”

“Emma, just say what you want to say.”

“Okay. I’ve noticed over the last few years that you’ve seemed so solitary. Alone. I like seeing you with someone who puts the light in your eyes. I hope she knows what a sweetheart
you
are.”

“Careful, darlin’. I can’t have you damaging my reputation for intimidation.”

He couldn’t keep a straight face as Emma gigglesnorted into the phone. “Save that for the criminals and crazies because I know what a softy you really are.”

He was pretty soft where the ladies of Divine were concerned, Emma in particular. They’d nearly lost this fine doctor a couple of years before when she was shot and nearly killed by someone who’d been stalking the men she loved, Duke Rivers and Gage Randall. It’d been a miracle that she’d survived emergency open-heart surgery.

“Yeah, just call me marshmallow. I’ll get Veronica to help me and Travis put together costumes.” He grinned, imagining Travis’s reaction to finding out he’d be dressing in drag for a wheelchair relay race. His day was looking better all the time.

“I hope he doesn’t mind.”

“I don’t think so. He’s pretty passionate about education and helping the younger generation.”

“A game warden?”

“He’s done more than serve as a game warden. He’s worked with wildlife and game management programs, wetlands and agricultural programs, and volunteered at schools to talk to students about stewardship and career opportunities. I’ll tell him about the Hill Country Boy’s Ranch and I predict he’ll jump on board.”

“Then I’ll leave you to make that call, Hank. Have a great day.”

He disconnected and called Travis.

Travis’s voice came on the line. “Yeah.” He sounded like he was lying down.

Hank checked his watched and grinned. “It’s only nine o’clock. She’s already worn you out?”

Travis chuckled softly and Hank heard a rustling sound as though he was moving around. “We wore each other out. I think she’s making up for lost sleep.”

“Good. Let her sleep. Did you enjoy your morning so far?”

“You know I did. I’m glad you didn’t object to time alone with her.”

“Not at all. I go by what Jack, Ethan, and Adam tell me. If it works for them, maybe it’ll work for us. I have a question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“How do you feel about wearing pink?”

Five minutes later after the shock had worn off, Travis had agreed to participate. Now all Hank had to do was find a costume that came in a size that would fit him and Travis…and Veronica, if she agreed.

He was looking for Cody Welsh’s phone number, to invite the bears to participate in the wheelchair relay race, when his phone began ringing. He swiped the screen and wanted to groan as he saw caller ID and put the phone to his ear. “Hank Stinson.”

“Sheriff Stinson, this is Tabitha Lester.”

“How are you this fine morning, Miss Lester?”

“Not very happy, Sheriff. Please tell me that what I’m hearing about you and that friend of yours are simply ugly rumors!”

Hank’s eyebrow shot up. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not involving yourself in a polyamorous relationship, are you?” She sounded horrified when she said it and the poly word sounded like it tasted bad on her tongue.

“Miss Lester, you know I’m always happy to hear from you, and to hear your opinions about how Divine can be a better place, and how I can do my job better, but I draw the line firmly at personal questions.”

Tabitha gasped. “
Oh, Lord.
You didn’t say no. That means you are, doesn’t it? How can you—”

“Miss Lester, you’re entitled to your opinions. My personal life does not dictate how I do my job. And my constituents will not dictate my personal life. Did you have any other matters to discuss?”

“Well…I guess not, since you’re…one of them now. I was calling to clear up that nasty rumor and to invite you to Keep Divine Pure’s next meeting on Sunday. We wanted to hear your thoughts about the problem growing in our community, but…” She chuckled bitterly. “I can see that’s not going to happen. May I just say I am very disappointed.”

“Yes, you may, ma’am. If that’s all, have a good day.”

The line went dead and he held back the urge to throw his phone. He should’ve asked where she’d heard the rumor but it didn’t matter. He cared what the voters in Divine thought of him but he wasn’t about to let a lone citizen dictate his personal life. Next, she’d be peeping in his windows.