Chapter 7

What’s for dinner you ask? Go to hell with a side of make-it-yourself.

-E card

Payton

I still remember as if it was yesterday.

 

My boyfriend at the time, John, came to pick me up for the senior prom. My mom helped me pick the dress out, and I felt like a fairy princess. I was even wearing a push-up bra. I’d planned to lose my virginity that night, but nothing could’ve been further from the truth.

 

John showed at the house right on time. I was just coming down the stairs when my dad told John to have me home by eleven. We’d argued, but he held firm since he knew that the senior prom would end by ten-thirty. That would give him thirty minutes to get me home

 

We thought we’d be sneaky and leave the prom early so we could go to a secluded spot near the river. There, we would do what we’d wanted to do for months now, and then he could have me home in time for my curfew. Everything was working out as planned. We got to the river and were just about to get down to business when there was a tapping at my window.

 

I was in the process of putting the condom on John when I looked over to see my father staring at me, disappointment in his eyes. Mortification couldn’t even begin to describe what I felt in that moment. Although he couldn’t see what I was doing, he could darn well guess, and guess he did.

 

I never saw John again after that night, until two years later. I’d confronted him, and he told me about my dad’s visit to him the next day. He didn’t go into details, but I didn’t need them; I could guess. My imagination was incredible. Needless to say, it wasn’t a nice visit, and John declined to see me ever again. He even went as far as moving in with his dad, who lived two states away.

 

“Payton, you need to relax. Your father isn’t going to hurt him.” My mom chided from across the kitchen island.

 

“How do you know? Do you remember John? I swear daddy paid him off so he would leave and never come back.” I insisted.

 

I watched as my mom went from the cake she was frosting to the oven to check on the chicken that was baking.

 

“Your father didn’t do anything to John. He never liked John anyway. He ran that background check on him and found out he had a record. Did you know he was charged with a misdemeanor because he stole something from an electronic store? He should be in prison right now.”

 

“Mom, he got caught stealing a candy bar. I would hardly call that something that deserved prison time.”

 

“Stealing is stealing honey. Now, why did your brother stay with you last night?” She asked, trying to divert my attention.

 

I allowed this. My mom was a freakishly smart woman. She and my father have been married going on thirty years now. I was their oopsie baby. My brother likes to tell me that I was the reason they had to get married in the first place. They met while my dad was in basic training, and married by proxy while he was deployed. When my dad got home, he had an instant family. I was six weeks old the first time he met me. He made up for it though. From then on, he was an integral part of our family. He was the type of dad that knew your every move, even before you made it.

 

“Max wants to get married.” I blurted.

 

“We know. Your young man stopped by this morning to speak with your father. He also told us what happened with Benny last night, too. Now, that was something we should have heard from you and Benny last night. Not when you both finally worked up the courage.” She scolded.

 

I was utterly flabbergasted. The highhandedness of that man wholly amazed me. Showing up to speak with my dad likely went a long way in convincing my father that he was serious about me.

 

“What was dad’s answer?”

 

She pulled the chicken out of the oven, and my mouth watered at the lovely aroma that accompanied it.

 

“He said he could have you, but that he would eviscerate him with a knitting needle and a hack saw if he ever stepped out of line. Your father hasn’t been the same since you were hurt. The two of them never once had a conversation like your young man and he had this morning. They spoke for over two hours.”

 

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Max.

 

Me: You are in so much trouble, Big Boy.

 

Max: What’d I do now?

 

Me: Did you have a nice visit this morning?

 

Max: Your dad knows a judge. Saturday morning you’re mine.

 

My breath caught in my lungs, and elation filled me. I knew he was joking, but him teasing about this made my heart happy. I mean, yes, he’d asked my dad; but, surely, he’d buy me a ring first, right? I wanted to get married with my father walking me down the aisle. Not some shotgun wedding where everyone assumes I’m pregnant and in need of a shotgun wedding. That was just one of many things we needed to speak about; I had a mile long list of stuff that needed discussing.

 

Me: We need to talk about this. Dinner’s ready.

 

All joking aside, I haven’t felt this happy in well over a year. It felt so good to have someone who knew me so well, inside and out. Luckily, my family thought he was pretty awesome. If they didn’t like him, then there was no way I was staying with him. I’d learned my lesson after Rory. My father told me over and over again that I needed to cut him loose, but I never listened. I paid for it.

 

My father, Bennett, and Max filed into the room a few minutes later.

 

“You know what Army stands for, right?” My dad asked.

 

“No, sir. What’s that?” He asked, eyes sparkling.

 

“Aren’t ready for marines yet.” He guffawed.

 

Max’s eyes narrowed, and he countered, “You know what marine stands for, right?”

 

“What’s that?” My dad asked snidely.

 

“Muscles are required, intelligence not essential.” Max said, as he took a seat at the table, pulling me down beside him.

 

It was probably to keep my dad from taking out his kneecaps. He wouldn’t harm his baby, and Max knew that. He smiled evilly at my dad, then threw his arm around my neck.

 

My daddy was a big man. He was massive at six foot four and two hundred and fifty pounds. He laughed like a bear, and hugged like one, too. He strode up to me, knocked Max out of the way, and wrapped his big brawny arms around me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him back. I loved my dad with everything that I possessed. He could be overbearing, embarrassing, and overprotective; but what good father wasn’t all those things?

 

He set me down on my feet and we all took a seat at the dining room table. Conversation wasn’t an option for the first ten minutes as there was good food to be eaten. My family is very serious about food, and speaking was not tolerated until all the plates were cleaned of their offerings.

 

“That was the most divine thing I’ve ever tasted.” Max declared.

 

He leaned back in his seat, and ran his hands up and down his stomach. The cast was now a bright pink, and “Property of Payton” was written in bubble letters over the entire length of it.

 

“I can’t believe he let you write that on his cast.” My mom reprimanded me.

 

I smiled. He didn’t even care. His mind was on other matters at the time. For instance, my underwear clad vagina running against his blue-jean covered length.

 

“He had his mind elsewhere.”

 

“Gross! That’s disgusting, PP.” Bennett whined.

 

“PP?” Max asked.

 

“Bennett thinks it’s funny. He’s been saying it since he was six. For some reason, my parents didn’t seem to think it was that big of a deal.” I said as I glared at said parents.

 

“Oh, Payton. That’s a brother’s job. Ember started giving me nut shots when I did stuff she didn’t like. My parents didn’t stop her either.” He said wistfully.

 

Sensing the sore subject, I switched it. “Max helps battered women get away from volatile situations.”

 

The table went quiet, and Max looked a little funny.

 

He looked at me and asked quietly, “How did you know that?”

 

I was confused, was I not supposed to know?

 

“Cheyenne told me. When I first met Sam, there were five ginormous men in the room, and I thought I was going to throw up. Do you not remember me leaving as soon as I walked into the room? I didn’t really have to pick up my brother; I just needed an excuse to leave. Y’all made me extremely uncomfortable. Anyway, she sensed what my problem was, and told me what y’all did to help all those women.”

 

His eyes softened as I spoke. He knew how scared I was in situations such as the one I’d entered into, but he must not have put two and two together back then. Dad was watching Max with a considering look and mom had tears gathered in her eyes.

 

Bennett was a different story.

 

“Can I help?” He asked.

 

“As of right now, we need people with certain types of skills. Jack’s good with a computer, but we could always use someone who is good with that type of stuff. Can you work a computer?” Max asked.

 

“No, sorry. My fingers are like sausages. They can only chicken peck.” He said holding up his hands.

 

His fingers were large. They always reminded me of a tennis racket. They were seriously that massive. His feet were a size sixteen. When Bennett finally grew into his body, he would be one intimidating person. Now, he looked good for a sixteen year old, but still resembled a teenager, not a man. When he started to put on some bulk, he’d be a heart breaker.

 

“I’ll ask, but, right now, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.” Max admitted.

 

“I’m not good with a computer, but I have connections. If you boys ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” My dad offered.

 

“Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind. You never know when you’ll need help. These women and children could use all the assistance they can get.” Max explained.

 

“Maybe when you get out of the Marines, Benny. You’ll probably have a lot more skills, and could help them much more.” Mom added her two cents.

 

My eyes caught a devilish gleam, and I bared my teeth at Benny in a manic smile.

 

“Oh, Benny, maybe you should tell them about the Navy recruiter you spoke with the other day. Daddy, did you know that Benny plans to go Navy?”

 

My dad’s breath sucked into his body, and it felt like all of the air in the room went with it. Bennett’s eyes narrowed on me, and the fork with a spoonful of mashed potatoes lifted into the air, but I knew it was coming and dropped to the floor underneath the table to avoid it.

 

“Bennett Lee Alvarez! Put that fork down. Don’t make me come over there.” Mom yelled.

 

When she pulled out the mom voice and the middle name, you knew you were in trouble. I didn’t get three named yet, however. Once under the table, I ducked down and duck walked to Bennett’s legs. He was wearing shorts, so this would work perfectly.

 

Smiling deviously, I made quick work of his shoelaces while they argued from above me. Then I tackled his leg; wrapping myself around it, and started making friction circles with the palm of my hand against his hairy leg. Anyone who’s done this before, knows it’s painful to get the hairs untangled once you get the friction going well enough; it also makes the hairs on your arms stick together, tangle, and then rip out when you try to unravel them.

 

Benny had some hairy legs, which is why this worked so perfectly.

 

“Get off me, you witch!” Bennett yelled, and tried to kick me off him.

 

I hung on for dear life, just so I could get the maximum tangle time. He kicked with his leg, and dragged me out from under the table when he lurched back to stand up from his chair. I let go then, because I knew when to cut and run. Annihilation isn’t my favorite thing to experience.

 

Darting back under the table, I made a mad dash for Max’s legs, just making it in time to grab ahold of his legs before Bennett was there trying to pull me back out on his side. Max was laughing his ass off from above me, and it sounded so goddamned sexy. Although, I couldn’t let my concentration waver, otherwise my precious brother would get me.

 

I squirmed and kicked before finally kicking him off. Diving underneath Max’s chair, I came up the other side so he was between me and Bennett, who was ready to kill me.

 

Mom and dad were finishing off the remains of their meal, acting as if this didn’t bother them in the slightest. Which, it probably didn’t. We’d done this exact scenario so many times that we could probably copyright the act.

 

Max stopped laughing when Bennett made a go for my ponytail, but Max stopped him with a steely glare.

 

I shimmied my ass and stuck my tongue out at Bennett. “Nanny, nanny, boo, boo.”

 

“Payton, I can’t always protect you from your brother. Keep instigating, one day I might not be around, and he’s going to shove you into the dryer.” Max teased.

 

“He’s tried that before. We broke Mom’s brand new front loader, and she never forgave us.” I supplied.

 

He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling and rolled his eyes. “I’m glad Ember isn’t like this.”

 

“Yeah, you’re lucky your sister’s not a psycho nut job.” Bennett grumped, as he ran his fingertips over the matted hair on his leg.

 

Bennett could whine all he wanted, but just last week he’d given me the mother of all Indian burns. I still had marks on my left arm. Even Max noticed them a week after Bennett had given them to me. Bennett had caught me on the way to my car after dinner with my grandparents; tackling me to the ground and sitting on me gave him access to my arm every time.

 

I draped my arms around Max’s neck from behind, and leaned into him before saying, “You had it coming after what you did to me last week.”

 

“That was retaliation for you putting girly smelling shit in my…” Bennett said before his words trailed off. His eyes went wide and he threw his hands up.

 

“You did that to her arm?” Max asked harshly.

 

I kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his ear.

 

“We’re rough, Max. Get over it.”

 

The rest of dinner remained quiet. My dad was upset about the Navy thing, but didn’t want to bring it up again. He didn’t like to yell. He was all about control, and, right now, he didn’t have any. Bennett going into the Marines made my dad proud; he was happy his only son was following in his footsteps. Now, to hear that he didn’t want to do that, and, quite frankly, never wanted to, was a hard pill to swallow.

 

Two hours later, my dad was walking us to Max’s bike. He gave it a hard look, and then made sure to touch both of the helmets with his hand as a silent order. My daddy wasn’t happy that I was riding the bike, but he trusted Max enough to realize that he could handle this large machine.

 

If my daddy only knew how Max rode the machine, he might’ve said something. In fact, Max rode the bike as he went through life: full speed ahead. He was a ‘take no prisoners’ type of person. He rode hard, played hard, and lived life to the fullest. He gave as good as he got, and I loved him more than life itself.

 

He passed the daddy test; now, he has one more to go, and that’s my Pepaw. If he could impress that man, then I would marry him, and have his babies. Of course, we would have to practice a lot first, but definitely lots of babies. Pleasing a man like my Pepaw would take a miracle, but I had faith in Max. If anyone could do it, he could.

 

“Can we stop one more place before we go home?” I asked before he started the bike.

 

“Sure, where to?” Max asked as he put his helmet on.

 

Taking my helmet from his hands, I strapped it on before telling him where I wanted to go. My father burst out laughing, and said, “God help you, son. Let me know how it went when you get home, Payton.”

 

Once the comment left his mouth, he turned and headed back into the house. Max lifted up his left leg, and then kick started the motor. The bike roared to life, and a shot of adrenaline poured through my veins.

 

I felt almost euphoric every time I got on the back of his bike with him. Riding my scooter makes me happy, but absolutely nothing compares to riding behind Max. Snuggling close to his back and wrapping my arms around his waist only makes it ten times more enjoyable.

 

We rode to the outskirts of Kilgore. My Pepaw and Nanny lived on the county line of Gregg County and Rusk County in a log cabin that was on thirty acres of land. Although their land and my father’s were butted close together, the entrance to their house was on the opposite side of the land than my father’s. The front of their house overlooked a pond that housed large mouthed bass and perch. Wide pine trees covered the front of the property so you couldn’t see their house from the road.

 

I have so many memories here. When I was growing up, I would spend summers here. When I was finally eighteen and graduated, I moved here. It’s my safe haven. Not to mention my Pepaw is a Vietnam vet. He taught me to do things that normal little girls wouldn’t even dream about doing. My dad refers to them as the ‘crazy loons’ across the way, but he loves them despite their faults.

 

We pulled into their driveway just as the sun was setting. My Pepaw sat on the front porch, rocking back and forth very slowly. Max stepped off, then helped me to my feet. We took our helmets off and laid them down on the seat before turning and facing my Pepaw, who was now standing and watching Max with narrowed eyes. He started to take a step forward when I stopped his advance.

 

“Pepaw, can you take down your trap for a little while. Max doesn’t know where to step, and I don’t want to make any trips to the hospital today.” I asked in a sugary sweet voice.

 

The trap in question was an electrical fence of sorts, only on steroids. If you stepped on the wrong stepping-stone, you’d have 120 volts of electricity shoot through your body, starting at your foot.

 

“The last time you said that, you brought some jackass here who got you beat up. Is this jackass going to do the same thing to my Tinkerbelle, too?” He grumped from the front porch.

 

I forgot to mention he’s a little loony, but he’s the sweetest man you’ll ever meet if you get into his good graces.

 

“Now, Pepaw, I’ve learned from my mistakes. I love this man; when have you ever heard me say that before, huh?”

 

“You love me?” Max said surprised.

 

“Of course, I love you Max. Why do you think I’m introducing you into all of this craziness? If I didn’t have faith that you wouldn’t drop me like a hot potato, I would’ve never even entertained the thought!”

 

“Alright, boy. You have five minutes to convince me. Tink, go into the house with your Nanny.” Pepaw instructed.

 

I spent the next hour on pins and needles. First, I gave it five minutes, then went out to find them, but they were both gone. Since one didn’t just go off walking on Pepaw’s land and survive, I stayed put and waited for them. They showed fifty-seven minutes and thirty-seven seconds later, laughing and carrying on. Nanny refrained from saying “I told you so,” but just barely. My breath whooshed out of me in a sudden burst of wind, and I took a running jump off the porch and launched myself into Max’s arms.

 

He caught me easily, and whirled me around, settling me on his back like a five year old. I stayed though, because now I knew this was official. If he could handle Pepaw, he could handle anything I threw at him from now until I died. He was mine, just as I was his, and I was ecstatic.

 

The ride home that night was silent, cold, and wet. The bottom fell out once we hit Highway 42, and I about froze my ass off. Texas weather was beyond unpredictable. Normally, the weather was cool; yet, not so cool that you needed a jacket. Tonight was different, it was a frigid twenty-eight, and it was bleepin’ raining. There was nothing we could do, so we just endured. If you didn’t ride in the rain, Max said, then you didn’t ride. He wasn’t even the least bit sorry, and as soon as we pulled up into the driveway and he opened the front door, I was stripping my frozen clothes from my body, making a mad dash for the shower.

 

There was only one thing that would fix this, and that was hot water. Max followed a few minutes later after letting Alpha out to use the bathroom. The shower door clicked open, and I tensed with anticipation. I wanted his body against me in the worst way.

 

Despite being colder than the North Pole while riding back, I still had my core resting up against his back. What they say is true; it feels like a huge vibrator. The bike does more for me in a twenty-minute ride then my own hand does in the same amount of time. His casted arm went to the glass above my head, and he leaned into the water, letting it soak both of us.

 

Max's hand ran down my body. Slowly. Seductively. My nipples pebbled as his fingertip ran over the very edge of my areola.

 

The brief tease made me ache for him to take my entire nipple into the heat of his mouth. I arched my back as his hand skimmed lower. His hand went down my rib cage, over my rounded tummy that would do Buddha proud, and, finally, stopping to cup my sex.

His fingers didn't stray from my lips, even though I longed for him to slip one of his long, thick fingers inside me. My breath was coming out in hard pants, and I moaned in frustration. The man only had to touch me and I was putty in his skillful hands.

 

"I need you inside me.” I demanded.

 

"Not yet." He ordered, "Put your mouth on me."

 

Turning around, I pressed my lips to his right nipple and sucked. "Here?"

 

"Oh, Fuck. That's not where I meant, but it feels fucking awesome." He inhaled, while pulling my mouth towards his other nipple.

 

I took his tiny bud into my mouth and sucked hard, exactly how I liked it; he groaned above me.

 

“I want your mouth on my cock.” He pleaded.

 

Taking pity, I dropped to my knees, and studied him. His cock was throbbing with each pound of his heart. I ran my tongue up the vein that ran along the underside of his penis from base to tip. Cupping his balls in my hand, I gently massaged them as I took the head of his cock into my mouth.

 

Sucking lightly, I let it pop from my mouth, and then took him as far as my mouth would allow. His hand found my hair, and started guiding my movements. This didn’t last long though, because he was pulling me off his shaft by the hair, and hauling me to my feet.

 

His mouth met mine, and our lips met in a furious kiss that set fire to my body all over again. Since this was such an awkward position for him, due to my size, he lifted me up with his good hand under my butt and leaned us both against the shower stall. The water was pouring down his back, and running down the valley between my breasts.

 

He watched the water for a second before leaning back some, allowing me to see his penis wedged between us.

 

“Help me out, Bubbles.”

 

I didn’t do what he asked. Instead, I rotated my hips back and forth, running the head of his cock along the length of my core. I was working myself up to a great orgasm when suddenly Max got impatient and changed arms. Now I was sitting on his casted arm, and his other hand went between us and guided himself home.

 

I wasn’t expecting the change in position, so when I found myself full of him, I screamed. Whether it was from the suddenness, the fact that he filled me up to the point of pain, or the sheer ecstasy I felt at having him inside me, I didn’t know. My body responded to him, and he could feel how wet and ready I was for him. He stopped once he worked himself fully inside me, and waited for me to adjust.

 

Once I managed to think straight I said, “You need to turn the water off or you’ll ruin your cast.”

 

“Fuck the cast.” Max said and then started to move.

 

“Stop!” I panted.

 

He froze. “Did I hurt you?”

 

“No, but I’m going to hurt you if you don’t stop. Turn the water off; let’s take this to the bed.” I said and clenched my muscles on his shaft.

 

He started to move involuntarily, but I stopped him again. “Please, Max. I don’t want to ruin it by making another trip to the hospital. Please?”

 

He pulled out deliciously slow, and gently placed me on my feet, allowing my body to slide against his. His rock hard cock was resting against my stomach, and I took him in my hand, and let the other hand search blindly along the wall looking for the lever that would turn the shower off.

 

I wasn’t even remotely cold anymore. My body was on fire, and all I could think about was having his cock back inside of me, pounding me into the mattress.

 

“If you don’t stop that and turn the water off, we’re going to be right back where we started.” Max growled.

 

My head shot up from the sight of his cock. His eyes showed pain, and a deep need that sent me rushing to turn the water off. Turning abruptly, I slammed my hand down on the lever and the water cut off. I pushed open the shower door, grabbed a towel, and then hopped up onto the bathroom counter.

 

He followed, and I was full of his cock as soon as my butt met the cool marble. His eyes met mine, and our gazes stayed connected as he pulled out nearly all the way, and then slammed back inside me. Once. Twice. Three times. Each thrust had him bumping up against my cervix.

 

Max’s head dipped down, and licked the side of my nipple. He slowed his thrusting so he could get to my breasts without them smacking him in the face. Not that I cared though, I was so close I could taste it.

 

Max finally captured my nipple in his mouth and gave a strong pull before releasing it with a pop, then transferred his mouth to my other one.

 

“You’ve got the best nipples I’ve ever seen.”

 

He continued the languid movement, entering me all the way, and then pulling out until the head of his cock kissed my entrance. I bit my lip, wanting to urge him to take me harder and faster, but I was too self-conscious. I knew exactly what I wanted; it was just too hard to say it.

 

“You need more, Bubbles?” Max chuckled when he released my other nipple.

 

I nodded my head in confirmation, but still didn’t say anything.

 

He pulled all the way out, and then slammed into me so hard I saw stars.

 

“You want it hard and rough?” He asked, with a twist of his hips, pulling my hair so my neck was exposed to his wet luscious tongue. “Or do you want it faster?” He asked with a faster pump of his hips.

 

“I don’t care, just, please, don’t stop.” I gasped.

 

His hips took on a life of their own, and he pounded inside of me. I threw my head back, squeezing my eyes shut tight as the orgasm of the century consumed me. I bit back a moan as Max growled his release into my neck. Both of us were panting, and sat still for long moments as we caught our breath.

 

He pulled out slowly, and I grimaced at the wet feeling between my legs.

 

“I think I need another shower now.”

 

He gave me a soft kiss on the lips, as I studied his face for a few moments. The cut on his forehead looked mean, but it didn’t detract from his handsomeness. It just made his looks unique. If he let the hair on his face grow any longer it wouldn’t be known as scruff, he would be sporting a full-blown beard. Not that I minded any. He looked gorgeous.

 

He went to start a fire, while I rinsed off the remnants of the sex. When I came out he handed me a bottle of Old Milwaukee, and we headed into the living room to watch TV. I cuddled with him on the couch for the rest of the night watching Pitch Perfect. Alpha covered Max’s feet, always watchful. Max didn’t find it quite as hilarious as I did, but he didn’t complain.

 

“You have to keep your promise.” Max rumbled.

 

I lifted my head from his chest and smiled at his serious expression.

 

“I want to get married at my Pepaw’s. I want my father to walk me down the aisle, and I want to wear a wedding dress. If you can do those things for me, I’ll marry you. Except for the tiny little fact that you forgot to buy me a ring.”

 

Since I was looking into his eyes, I didn’t see his hand move. However, I did feel his body change position and saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning to see what he was doing, I saw the black jewelry box and gasped.

 

He smiled when he saw the tears that rushed to my eyes. “Payton Evangeline Alvarez, will you marry me? I promise to protect you with my life, and never leave you behind. I promise to chase away your nightmares, and hold you all night if you wake up scared. But, most of all, I promise to love you with my whole heart and soul. Will you marry me, Payton?”

 

“Do I look like a dumbass to you? Of course, I’ll marry you.” I said before throwing myself at his chest.

 

He laughed, slipped the gigantic ring onto my finger, and then squeezed me tight.

 

“Don’t squeeze too hard or I’ll fart.”

 

“Jesus Christ, can’t anything ever be serious with you?” He asked exasperated.

 

“Of course not. Now, do I need to sign a prenup?” I teased.

 

“Honey, the day I have enough money that warrants a prenup is the day I die. My life insurance policy kicks ass.” He joked.

 

“I love you, big boy.” I confessed before laying my head back down on his chest.

 

“I love you, too, Pea.”

 

“Pea?” I asked confused.

 

“Yeah, your initials spell out P-E-A. Just wait until we’re married, then you’ll be my Pet.” He guffawed.

 

“Oh, shut up.” I grumped.