Summer Solace (15 page)

It was approaching six and Joanna was beginning to worry. Brian had still not appeared. Kim had already gone home and it was only her and Dan. He saw her glance at the clock yet again.

“Are you still waiting on Gabe’s last brother?” he asked. At her nod, he continued, “No problem. I’ll make sure he gets up to the camp. Joanna, why don’t you go on up?  I know Gabe is waiting for you.” 

Normally she would have felt guilty leaving him alone in the store. However, the store was quiet and she very anxious to see Gabe. Nodding, she smiled at him. “Thanks, Dan. You can get me on the radio if you need help. I’ll open in the morning.”

Dan shook his head. His boss did way more than what was required at her pay level. There wasn’t a single thing she would ask her co–workers to do that she wouldn’t do herself.

“Sure, Boss,” he replied. “Go on now, enjoy your evening. I’ll take care of everything when Brian shows up.”

“Okay, thanks again,” Joanna said over her shoulder as she practically flew out the door and into her Jeep.

Dan grinned as he watched her obviously in a hurry to reconnect with her long lost love.

Chapter 11

By the time Joanna arrived, the area already had the look of one huge tent village. Everyone was working, including the children. The promise of a swim when they completed their chores helped to speed them along. Joanna was very impressed with how well everyone worked together. Gabe had welcomed her with a hug and a kiss that caused his family members to whistle and make catcalls. Joanna blushed, but had not been embarrassed. She felt comfortable and part of the group. Gabe made sure she felt included, which made her feel useful. She was unaccustomed to being idle when there was work to be done.

Joanna smiled as Gabe set a huge bag of corn on the cob in front of her and then sat close beside her. She was immediately aware of his size and his warmth as his hip pressed against her. She listened as he gave her instructions on how to pull the husk back but not off, remove the silk, season each ear and then pull the husks back into place. As he demonstrated what he wanted, she found herself thinking of having her pants pulled down, the silk of her panties removed, her bare bottom seasoned by his hand until it was red and mottled before her pants were pulled back into place.

Gabe finished his ear of corn and realized she was looking flushed and breathing a bit heavily. He had no idea of what had caused the reaction. “Jo, are you okay?  Are you sure you want to help?” he asked. “You are the guest. You can just sit back and relax until dinner is ready if you’d prefer.” 

Joanna jolted as she realized exactly how her fantasy had totally enveloped her. Her flush turned into a full body blush, the color of her cheeks rivaling the reddish tones of her hair. She reached out and grabbed an ear of corn and practically ripped the husk from it in one movement.

Gabe reached out to cover her hand with his. “Whoa! Easy now. Don’t strip it off, just pull it down a little until you can grab the silk. You want to bare the kernels, sprinkle some seasoning on to bring out the heat, but not bruise them.” 

Joanna made a choking sound and Gabe suddenly understood her thoughts. He looked at her and instantly pictured her standing before him, her hands behind her back as he slowly stripped her. He felt his cock harden and press uncomfortably against his zipper. He felt her quiver and heard a soft moan. His throat tightened and he quickly stood. He dropped the corn onto the table and saw Dana within reach. He grabbed her arm, ignoring her yelp of surprise.

“Don’t ask. Just finish the corn would you?” he asked. “We’ll be back.”  Without waiting for her to agree, he pulled Joanna up and turned towards the woods. Karen saw them leaving and joined Dana at the table.

“What’s going on?” Karen asked as Dana absently picked up an ear of corn.

“Not sure,” Dana admitted and then smiled. “But you can practically cut through the sexual tension between those two. They were prepping the corn one moment and then running off to the woods the next.” 

Karen grinned and picked up an ear. “Can’t imagine how corn can be a turn on, can you?” she said as she turned the ear over in her hands.

Dana shrugged as the two began to prep the corn. “No, but we couldn’t ask for a better match for our Gabe, could we?”

Karen laughed and agreed, reaching for the next ear.

When they reached the safety of the woods, Gabe immediately pulled Joanna into his arms and crushed her mouth with his. She gave her all with the kiss, her body pressing as close as possible. Gabe cupped the back of her head with one hand, the other roaming down her back until it reached the curve of her bottom. He pulled her even closer, his tongue demanding entrance into her mouth to tangle with her own. She was lost without concern for anything other than kissing this man. Gabe was lost as well, but his training kept him aware of their surroundings.

He heard someone coming and pulled away from Joanna. She moaned at the loss.

“Sh, it’s okay. Someone’s coming,” he said softly.

She flushed as she realized that anyone would be able to tell how aroused she was. She briefly wondered if the seat of her shorts were wet. She knew her panties were completely soaked.

“Can we go to the beach?” she whispered, now able to hear footsteps coming down the path. Gabe shook his head and grabbed her hand.

“No, Shelley and Amber took the kids down to swim before dinner.” 

Moaning in need, Joanna’s mind worked the problem of privacy.

“There’s a secluded site higher up. The path is hard to find but it veers off from the path to the beach,” she suggested, her voice betraying her need as she spoke in soft pants.

“Hell, that’s too far. Come on,” Gabe growled. He didn’t wait for her to answer. He stepped off the path and headed back into the woods. Joanna realized he was heading down the hill. They reached his destination within minutes. Joanna saw the cars parked in the gravel parking area. She squealed when Gabe scooped her into his arms and easily lifted her up and over the side of his truck. He set her down carefully and then vaulted over the side. She didn’t have time to think about anything before he lay on his back and pulled her down on top of him. He smiled and then his hand was once again at the back of her head, guiding her down to meet his lips.

Joanna moaned again, her entire body on fire, pulsing with a need she felt in every cell of her body. Gabe slipped his free hand under the back of her shirt, his fingers stroking the silkiness of her back. He could feel her reaction as she pressed herself down onto him. She realized she could feel the evidence of his arousal against her stomach. A rush of wetness spread between her legs, soaking her already wet panties. Gabe’s groan matched hers as his hand moved to her side, his fingers gently brushing the outside swell of her breast. Joanna felt like she was going to explode and he had not even touched her in any truly intimate way.

She pulled her mouth away from his only to whimper, “Gabe – please!”  
She paused, not knowing what she wanted, what she needed. Gabe moved his hands to cup her face and force her eyes to his. He saw his own desire reflected in hers. His heart swelled as he realized this woman touched him in a way no other ever had.

“Sh, Jo,” he reassured her. “Whatever you need, whatever you want.” 

She pulled his mouth back down to hers and their passion flared ever hotter. They were so engrossed in each other that neither was aware of the car pulling in. Only the sound of a door being slammed and harsh voices forced them to break apart. Joanna realized that someone was standing only a few feet from where they were lying. Her blouse and bra had been discarded and she had no idea where Gabe had tossed them. Her shorts were unbuttoned and Gabe was bare–chested beneath her. She only vaguely remembered undressing and now was attempting to pull away from him to find her clothes. She definitely did not want to be discovered half–naked in the bed of a truck!  Gabe pulled her back to lie across him and kept her still with his hands. He was listening carefully to make sure that whoever it was posed no immediate threat to them.

“Brian, are you sure this is the right place?” he heard a woman ask. He visibly relaxed, obviously recognizing the voice.

“Yes, Susie,” Brian answered. “That’s Scott’s SUV and Jake’s Suburban. I don’t know who the Jeep belongs to, but the truck is definitely Gabe’s. Trust me, I can follow that guy’s directions from the store.”  There was a pause in the conversation before his voice continued,  “Geez, do you really need all this stuff?  You two do realize we are actually camping, right?” 

Joanna heard female laughter and was instantly aware of Gabe tensing beneath her. She moved her head to look at him but he didn’t return her gaze. It seemed he was listening intensely so she returned her attention to the people as well. She understood that the last brother, Brian, had arrived.

“Don’t be silly, Brian. Of course we need all our stuff. How am I supposed to convince Gabe I’m the love of his life if I don’t look my absolute best?”  This voice was different than the first female that had spoken.

Joanna recognized that fact at the same moment she processed what the stranger had said.Love of his life?  Someone believed Gabe loved them and that someone was definitely not the one who was lying half–naked on top of Gabriel Jamison!  Joanna stiffened immediately and moved to push herself off Gabe. He tightened his arms around her, effectively holding her in place. She continued to squirm as her heart broke.

“Be still!” he whispered. She stiffened again, aware of their situation, aware of her partial nudity. She didn’t want to lie on him any longer, but she also did not want to be discovered by Gabe’s girlfriend. Just the thought of the woman standing just a few feet away caused her trembling to increase. She bit her bottom lip in an attempt to keep from breaking into sobs.

“Tanya, I don’t believe Gabe will care that you are all gussied up for him. He isn’t that sort of guy. I am seriously rethinking this whole thing. I can’t believe I let you both talk me into this,” Eric said as he dragged bags from the car.

Gabe heard his brother’s words but they did absolutely nothing to ease his anger. He couldn’t believe that his youngest brother had been stupid enough to bring Tanya to their family reunion. He knew that Joanna was hearing every word spoken and yet he could do nothing to reassure her. He tightened his grip as if holding her close physically would hold her close emotionally as well.

“Brian, don’t be like that,” Susan was saying. “Tanya just means she wants to make the best impression she can. Come on; let’s just take what we can for now. I’m sure the others will come back and help us with the rest.”

Brian watched Tanya take only her own duffle bag full of clothing that wasn’t exactly suited for camping and follow her. Brian shook his head and picked up the bag with the tent and the backpack containing everything he’d need for the week. He clicked the fob on his keychain, locking the door. He shook his head and took off after the girls. The last words the couple in the truck heard him mutter was a quick prayer that Gabe wouldn’t kill him.

Gabe’s jaw clenched thinking a quick death would be far too considerate. The moment all sounds ceased, Joanne pushed with all her might against his chest with both of her hands.

“Let go of me!” she hissed, her body shaking with her anger. Gabe slowly eased his hold but didn’t relinquish it completely.

“Calm down, honey. It’s not what you think,” he said in a soft voice.

Joanna gaped at him and then pounded her fists against his chest. “Get your hands off me right now!” she demanded.

Gabe’s instinct was to pull her even closer, but when she burst into tears, he released her. She scrambled up and grabbed her blouse. She looked for her bra, but not immediately finding it, she shrugged into her shirt and started to climb over the side of the truck. Gabe made a grab for her, but she slipped and fell the rest of the way to the ground.

“Jo, wait! Honey,” Gabe said as he knelt in the truck bed.

“Don’t call me that,” Joanna hissed. “You don’t have the fucking right to call me anything. Stay away from me. God, I can’t believe I fucking trusted you!” 

Gabe jumped out of the truck, his t–shirt wadded in his hand. “Watch your language, young lady,” he warned, not liking the fact she wasn’t giving him a moment to explain. “I don’t like it and there’s no need for you to be cussing at me.” 

The look Joanna gave him would have dropped a weaker man. “I don’t give a shit what you like. Oh God, just - just leave me the fuck alone!” 

She ran for her Jeep and climbed inside. Before Gabe could reach her, she had turned the key and roared out of the lot, barely missing hitting the man she had fallen so hard for. Her tears streamed down her face as instinct guided her down the road. She was still crying when she reached her cabin. She jumped out of the Jeep and was soon inside. She didn’t bother with a light. She flung herself across her bed, her sobs echoing to fill the silence of her home.

Gabe stood in the parking area and stared down the road where Jo had just disappeared. His blood was thrumming through his veins for a very different reason than just a few minutes before. He ran his hand over his face trying to get himself under control. He could not fucking believe what had just happened. He wanted to go after Jo. He needed to explain that what she was obviously thinking wasn’t true. Growling, he slammed his hand against the door of his truck when he realized the keys were in his tent. He would have to go back in order to retrieve them.

He pushed away from the truck and glanced back where he had been extremely happy before the shit had hit the fan. He saw a scrap of fabric balled up in the corner by the tailgate and realized what it was. He picked it up and ran his fingers over the silky fabric. He remembered removing it and hearing Joanna moan as his hands had cupped her beautiful naked breasts and rolled and pinched her nipples into hard pebbles. His eyes flashed as he also remembered her moan of pain when she had heard Tanya’s voice.

The bra was too large to shove into his pocket and he certainly wasn’t going to carry it through to the camp. He opened the truck door and pushed the lock button on the center console. It popped open and he carefully folded the bra, noticing both the deep, rich navy blue color as well as the lacy edging. His hand shook slightly as he placed the bra into the well of the console. Knowing that Joanna was ‘his girl’, regardless of what she might be thinking, his resolve hardened. As he closed the lid of the console, he knew he would find matching panties when she lowered her shorts for the spanking she had just earned.