Chapter Three
“Peanut butter and jelly,” Travis commented, shaking his head.
“Yeah. I hadn’t had one until I went to college. My roommates lived on it. Besides, I didn’t plan on having company for dinner.”
“Damn. We did too in my family. Sometimes it was breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was cheap and easy.”
Bella nodded. “Which was exactly why my mother said we couldn’t have it. It wasn’t posh enough. It was too commonplace for her children.” She picked at the crust of her sandwich. “It almost gave her a heart attack when I came home from school with a box full of peanut butter and various jellies. It was a going-away present.”
Sadness dimmed her eyes and she looked down. Travis wanted to reach out and touch her, but he didn’t know what was wrong. He soon found out.
“Those same friends no longer speak to me. They stopped returning calls and texts. For all I know, they changed their numbers.”
“I’m sorry, Bella. I can’t imagine what it’s been like, how alone you must have felt. Probably still feel.” And he couldn’t. He knew what he’d gone through, losing his savings and investments, but Bella had lost so much more.
“I know. I appreciate it.”
Travis didn’t want to think too hard about the flash of sad resignation that crossed Bella’s face. He didn’t want to think about what he was doing to her with his proposition. He only wanted back between her leg. He only wanted Bella in his arms, her lips parted in a smile, her breath on his skin in a sigh of bliss.
He was on his second sandwich and was contemplating a third. Sex always made him hungry. Looking at Bella across the small table made him hungry in a different way. She was more than he’d dared to imagine. She was quiet, humble, in some instances she was almost shy. During sex though, she was a damn wildcat, the hottest lay he could remember having in his life. “How did you know I like raspberry jam?”
Bella shrugged. “I didn’t. It’s my favorite. I sometimes like bananas with my jam too, but I wanted something smooth and creamy today.”
Travis laughed. “You fuckin’ tease.”
“I offered you marshmallow cream or bananas.”
“Yes you did. You like nuts in your peanut better too I see.”
“Nuts go with everything,” she stated with matter-of-fact seriousness.
If he didn’t watch himself, her little quips, made as innocently as she pleased, were going to cause him to choke. He knew about her naughty side, but he’d never known about the smartass, teasing, tempting sides of her. She wasn’t embarrassed by her needs and wasn’t intimidated by him, or the fact that he held a little sway over her.
He cleared his throat but found he wasn’t sure what to say. He was ready to slam her over the table, cover her in jam and marshmallow and peanut butter. He was ready to fuck her, then eat her like she was a banana split.
She saved them both from sugary sexual overload by her next words.
“You said it was negotiable.”
Their arrangement. There was nothing else she could be talking about. If he were honest with himself, he’d had no plan beyond asking her to sleep with him. He wanted her naked, every night, every day, every which way he could have her. He didn’t know how long it would take until he didn’t want her in such an all-consuming manner. It was possible that day would never come. All he knew right then was that he couldn’t put a time limit on it. “Yes.”
“And I asked you to give me until Friday. Two days from now.”
“You did and I agreed.”
“So …”
“Fuck me until Saturday morning and I’ll repair your car at cost. You’ll still owe a big chunk of change, but not near as much as I quoted you this morning.”
“And you have no qualms about extorting sex?”
“Nope.” He reached for a nipple, the one he could see peeking around the side of the table. He tweaked it, tugged it, and in that half second, her eyes started to dilate. Responsive. So damn responsive. “Not with you. Did it feel like extortion earlier? Ugly, dirty?” he asked in the quiet between them with his fingers still stroking her. “Dirty in the wrong way, I mean, but either way you didn’t act as though it bothered you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and he did his best not to flinch. Her gaze was assessing, sharp. She was sizing him up, and then she focused on his lap. He couldn’t hide his erection and he wouldn’t try. He wanted her to see how much he wanted her.
“You also didn’t let me come before. How I see things now as opposed to before might be a little different.”
“Hmm. So that’s what this is about, this little pouting session? No, I didn’t. Do you want to come now?”
“Looking at you makes me want to come, Travis. You’ve been my wet dream since the first time I saw you and understood what wet dreams were.”
“Is that so?” He was surprised his voice remained level, given her admission. “Wet dreams run both ways, baby. I had to wash the sheets more than once a week after waking up with a curvy redhead on my mind.”
Her eyes widened and she blinked. Her mouth formed a pretty ‘O’ and the memory of her lips wrapped around his cock did a number on his ability to keep thinking straight.
“Yeah?” she asked, her voice sounding a little breathless.
“Yeah. One could even make the case that you’re the one doing the using around here. As much as, if not more than me.”
Bella winked and slid from her chair. He welcomed her onto his lap, his sandwich all but forgotten. She smelled like peanuts and sugar and felt like heaven.
“Did you feel used?” she whispered against his lips.
Travis didn’t have a chance to answer. Bella stole his breath. If she meant to light him up from the inside out with her kiss, she succeeded. Who was extorting who? Who was using who this time around, he wondered? But the second her teeth bit down on his tongue, he didn’t give a shit about the dynamics.
Stress showed on her face. Frown lines bracketed her mouth. It dulled her once brilliant blue eyes. And she wore her auburn hair in ponytails now, where it used to flow in waves down her back. She wore unremarkable clothes, even when she wasn’t at work. Though, he didn’t see her out much.
She’d lost weight, too. But even so, she had the best damn curves.
She had his full attention when he felt something cool and thick on his nipple. He looked down when she broke the kiss and lowered her head. Jam. She’d put raspberry jam on his left nipple and now, dear God, she was licking it off.
He fisted his hand in her hair and tugged. “Make sure you get your tongue under the barbell. I don’t want any left over. I don’t want any sticking to my skin.” She hummed her reply and the sound shot straight to his dick.
She was so giving, so much about pleasure. She gave as good as she got. And then she gave some more.
Bella dipped her finger into the jar again. Travis sucked in air and held it, following the movement from the jar to his other nipple. She slathered the sticky sugar all over, even coated the ring.
He did his best to keep his thoughts centered on what she was doing right then and there. But they wandered. What would it feel like having her suck jam off his cock and allowing him to return the favor all over her body.
His cock jumped and the woman on his lap wiggled along the ridge. She lifted her head, kissed his lips with more tenderness than the moment should have allowed. When she lowered it again, she worked her oral magic on his other nipple.
Travis sifted his fingers through her hair with one hand, and slipped the other between them. “Don’t stop what you’re doing,” he whispered. “I’m only going to make it better for both of us.” She nodded and grabbed the nipple ring in her teeth and pulled.
With a little effort, he finally had his cock in his palm. “Relax your legs, baby, and slide up higher on my lap until you feel me on your clit. Oh yeah, Bells, right there. Feel it?”
Her moan was all the answer he needed. The more insistent he rubbed himself against her, the more concentrated her efforts on his nipple, but whenever he eased away from her clit? She bit down and her fingernails dug into his arms.
He had no interest in teasing her, not like before. No, he had a very keen interest in feeling her come, in feeling her body on his lap shake and shiver with an orgasm.
The moist heat. The slick wetness coating the tip of his penis pushed him closer to the edge, and when Bella started rocking and sliding on him … Holy. Fuck. “Is it gonna be soon, Bells?”
She nodded and lifted her head from his chest. Glazed, dilated eyes. Flushed cheeks. And she had her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. She was sexy as fuck as she rode the head of his dick with her pussy.
He held the shaft in his hand and stroked every few seconds, but didn’t need it. She drove him mad and he knew himself well enough to know the second she started to fly, he wouldn’t be too far behind.
She’d sat across from him completely naked, completely comfortable. He’d already put on his jeans before realizing she’d intended to stay sans clothes. It was erotic as hell and she turned him on like nobody’s business.
Now she slid along his lap, her naked thighs against his jeans. It was one of the hottest sights he’d ever seen. He loved her complete abandon. He’d been afraid she’d be timid once she gave in, that he’d have to coax everything out of her, but that hadn’t been the case at all. From the moment she agreed, she’d been a complete participant.
She was his fantasy, and now she was the dirty fairy tale come to life right before his eyes.
Bella took hold of his shoulder and squeezed at the same time she cupped one of her tits and teased her nipple. He couldn’t look away from the sight.
Oh. Fuck.
Travis came before he even realized he was ready. She seized up and moaned low in her throat, and then her body jerked against his. She didn’t stop rubbing herself on his cock and she never took her gaze from him.
But Travis kept looking between her fingers toying with her nipple to her eyes. He was still coming when she captured his lips and whimpered into his mouth.
“You’re definitely hotter than summer, baby.”
“I’m not the only one.” She slid off his lap and held her hand out. “We made a mess on you.”
Travis looked down. “That we did.”
“How about a shower, then we can clean your jeans.”
“Would love one. I’ve got a backpack in the truck. I’ll grab it and meet you under the water.”
“Are you staying?”
The question caught Travis off guard. She tossed it over her shoulder before disappearing into the bathroom. She had a right to ask and for him to answer. Only, he hadn’t thought one way or the other about spending the night in her bed. He would take her to work the next few mornings and bring her home, but sleeping with her? All night?
Could he? Would he?
He sure as hell wanted to. Able to touch her whenever he wanted, roll her over and make love to her whenever the urge struck him? Oh yeah, he wanted to stay, but should he? Would it be fair to her?
He waited until he heard the shower turn on then went outside to get his backpack. He’d deal with her question if she asked it again because right then, in that moment, he didn’t know what answer to give.
* * * * *
Thursday Morning
“Did you sleep here last night?”
Travis looked up from where he sat on the edge of the worn leather sofa in his office. “For the few hours I actually slept, yeah.”
“Why?”
“Was working.” Technically, that was true. At least, once he got back to the garage.
“I called you,” Miles stated with a hint of accusation. Travis chose to ignore it. He hadn’t slept but a few winks here and there and been up the rest of the night working on Bella’s car. He’d called a yard down in Knoxville yesterday afternoon about a transmission. He had hers out of the car and the replacement would be in that afternoon. The fuel injection system needed a flush, too. If everything went according to plan, by end of day, he’d have all he needed to finish the job.
And as exhausted and worn out as he was, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with an inquisition. About the only thing he wanted to exert energy over was a shower and Bella’s nonstop sexual appetite.
“Busy,” was all he said, hoping to avoid the conversation and resulting confrontation.
“Busy, huh? Saw you leave town yesterday afternoon with Bella Drake in your truck.”
“Yeah.”
“Well?”
God, he hated explaining himself. He’d told Bella he could handle any shit that came his way and he’d meant it. He’d hoped he didn’t have to handle it from Miles so soon, though. “Well what?”
“What was she doing in your truck?”
“What business is it of yours?” The brothers glared at one another. Miles was the only person besides Travis’ father who could make the vein in his temple throb. No one else had been able to get close enough to push his buttons the way they could. “Shit, Miles. I drove her home, all right?” Travis tossed out.
“What the hell, Trav? She’s bad news. That whole family is. What’s left of ’em, anyway.”
“She’s not her brother.” Travis had said as much to Bella yesterday. Guilt by association was all it was and yet people wanted to make it out as more.
“Doesn’t make her any less guilty.”
“I don’t have time for this, Miles. I’ve got a full garage today and a couple of new jobs coming in.” A change of topic was necessary. They didn’t need to get into an argument over a woman they would never see eye to eye on.
“You’ve always got a full garage, Trav. C’mon. And I’ve always got work to do too. We help each other, but we don’t usually keep secrets.”
Travis sighed. Miles was right. They didn’t keep secrets. He didn’t want to keep this one either, but for the time being, it was better this way. “Let’s drop it, all right.”
“No, I’m not going to drop it. Are you fuckin’ her? Is that why you’re acting like this?”
“That’s none of your damn business.” He stood, stretched, and grabbed for the coveralls hanging on a nail behind the door.
“Dammit. I knew her moving back here would be a bad idea. You’ve had a hard-on for her since the day her daddy brought in that Mercedes years ago. You got a look at that pretty face and those curves and lost your mind.”
Travis stifled a yawn and after slipping the coveralls over his clothes, he sat to put his work boots on again. It felt as though he’d just taken them off. “You’re full of shit.”
“In most things, yes, but on this, I’m right.”
“Lay off it.”
“Trav—”
“Miles.” Travis cut in. His brother’s name cracked like a whip through the air and he glared. “It’s none of your business. Let it go.”
“It is my business.” Undeterred, Miles pushed on. “You’re my business, and I’m not going to let it go. Goddammit! Her family screwed ours over. They screwed a lot of people over. You’re sleepin’ with the enemy, Trav.”
“Jesus, Miles.” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “This isn’t a television drama. She’s not the enemy.” And sleeping hadn’t been what they were doing either. Miles didn’t need confirmation of that though.
“As close as.”
“Do you hear yourself? What’s your fucking deal? I understand you’re pissed that the money is gone, but you’re going a little overboard, aren’t you?”
“My deal? You’re the defensive one.”
“And you’re the one who came in with accusations. Bella needed help. I offered. What I do with or without her after that isn’t any of your goddamn concern.”
“She’s not worth this,” Miles stated.
“Not worth what? You being an asshole? She’s been through enough. She didn’t do anything to you or me or anyone else in this busybody town. She had her shit pulled out from under her too and she’s trying to live her life.”
“You’ve got it bad.”
Travis’ patience wore thin and the quiet, even thread in his voice betrayed it. “Either leave or get to work.”
Miles stared at him, anger suffusing his cheeks with red. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
When Travis didn’t respond, his brother finally turned away with a grumble.
“Well?” Miles queried a few minutes later. “Are we gonna work or are you gonna sit there all day?” He grabbed his coveralls off another nail behind the door and stepped into them.
Travis would like to sit there all day, but knew he couldn’t.
He’d stayed at Bella’s until she fell asleep.
When she’d opened the door to him this morning, the disappointment in her eyes made him feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was an out of character feeling for him. It made him feel even more like an ass because he’d left without telling her.
Jesus, it was some of the hottest sex he’d ever had, but he honestly hadn’t thought beyond getting inside her that first time.
Travis strode out to the garage bay and popped the hood on the Jeep Wagoneer he’d been working on for two days. There weren’t too many things wrong with it. The owners wanted to take it on a grand, cross country adventure. They wanted it tuned up—new belts, fluid flushes, the fuel system cleaned. Travis would make sure she hummed with perfection.
The constant work, the classic seventies rock pumping through his earbuds kept his mind occupied, until a kick in the shin brought him out of his bubble several hours later. “What the hell?” he grouched. He looked at Miles, who shifted from foot to foot and looked uncomfortable. Good. “What’s wrong with you now? More bitching?”
Miles moved to the side.
Bella.
She had a couple white paper sacks in her hands along with a drink tray. Three cups. Travis immediately realized that Miles wasn’t the only one who seemed uncomfortable.
Travis smiled. “Bells. What are you doing here?”
“I thought … I mean, I …” She held up the takeout bags. “I brought lunch. I called a little while ago and—”
“You called?” He slanted an accusatory look at his brother. “Why didn’t you come get me?”
Miles shrugged and red flooded his cheeks.
“I’ll deal with you later,” Travis promised.
“No, don’t be upset at him. I only called to ask if you were around. He said yes.”
Travis nudged Miles, who took a bag from her along with the drinks. “Did you hear that, Miles? She doesn’t want me to be upset with you.”
“Shut up, Trav. I heard her.”
Bella looked from brother to brother. “I should go. This seems like it was a bad idea.” Uncertainty lurked in her eyes and Travis wanted to kick himself.
“No, Bells. It was a great idea. C’mon.” He urged her to precede him and they followed Miles into the office. “I’m starving. Someone,” he leaned close and whispered, “used up a lot of my energy last night.”