Chapter 14

Luke

There was something about swinging a hammer that relieved stress. I’d decided to fix the old broken stretch of fence that ran across the property line on the west side of the house. Tanner had told me to hire someone, but I needed to do something to clear my mind and maybe a little sweat would get rid of the booze I’d put into my system over the past twenty-four hours.

I’d sat in my window and watched her drive away in her fancy car headed off to the city like her ass was on fire. I probably should have run after her and made her stay, but I didn’t want her that way, spending the rest of her life resenting me and wondering what if.

I put another board in place and hammered it in, missing the head of the nail more times than necessary. It didn’t matter. Nothing did anymore, and it would be a while before I felt differently.

I’d done the right thing and taken her sweater to Nora. I figured she could get in touch with her better than I could. She’d seen the hurt in my eyes and asked me what happened. I probably shouldn’t have poured my heart out to the doctor, but she’d asked and once I started talking I couldn’t stop. Not until I’d told her everything shy of the details of our sex life.

She was shocked that Harper had left without mentioning my offer. She’d known something had happened between us but didn’t think it was about her staying. I think she’d hated to see her go too.

Once I had the board in place, I stepped back and looked at my handiwork. It would do, but I’d have to paint it later. It was time to go inside and get cleaned up. I’d burned away the day, and the mosquitos were looking for their dinner. It wasn’t going to be me. I walked to the house catching a glance at Nora’s place on the way. I could almost see Harper sitting there, sipping her coffee with her feet propped up. I looked away hoping to forget.

I went inside and found Tanner having a heated conversation, and I kept going not wanting to know what it was about or who it was with. I needed to get upstairs and wash the stink of beer sweat that had evacuated my pores.

I managed to get the shower going and undress without thinking of Harper, but as I stood there under the shower spray, I thought back to our last night together. We’d made love nice and slow, and then I’d picked her up and carried her to the shower. She was everywhere, and I couldn’t get the sight of her out of my head. I closed my eyes and picked up the thoughts right where I’d left off.

Once I had her in the shower, I took my time lathering her up, taking special care with her breasts as I rubbed my cock between the cheeks of her ass. She moaned, writhing against me and then she’d placed both hands on the tile and spread her legs, glancing back as if giving me an invitation. I made sure we were rinsed and that she was ready for me. Her sweet pussy was still slick from round one, and I went down on my knees to service her. She rubbed her slick heat across my mouth and tongue, and I pushed my fingers deep as I gripped my cock with my free hand. It was ready to go, so I stood up and grabbed her hips, and aimed right for her sweet spot.

It had felt so good thrusting deep inside her, and as I opened my eyes, I found myself alone, back in reality, standing under the steady spray of the shower head my cock hard in my hand.

My erection wasn’t going to take care of itself and I’d apparently already been working on it without realizing. I leaned forward and rested my head against the tile and closed my eyes.

I thought about her sitting in my lap, her soft curvy ass brushing against me. How I had wanted her so bad that very first time. She’d been so sure she’d refuse me only to come back. I knew what she’d wanted, and I’d given it to her, every single inch of it.

I grabbed my balls and tugged gently, my heavy load aching as I worked my cock in long, steady strokes.

In another flash she was laying back on the blanket in the meadow, the sun kissing her soft shoulders where I planted kisses while thrusting inside her. I had rolled her over, pulling her across me, her long legs straddling me. She had soaked my cock and screamed my name. God, the sound of it was so good on her lips as she came apart around me.

I moaned and realized it wasn’t part of my memory. I had made the sound out loud, and more were bubbling from my throat. I felt my balls tighten and then I sped up, milking the release that spilled to the tile. It was the saddest thing I’d ever seen as I remembered Harper wiping her mouth, and the sensation of busting my nut in her throat. I pumped my cock until the last drop hit the tile and washed down the drain, and then I collapsed against the tile, falling until my ass hit the floor.

How was I going to get through this? I couldn’t bear another moment without her. I had to do something. I let the water run until it went cold and then I dragged my ass up. I hadn’t ever felt so low before, not even when my wife left me. Even though I’d thought that was the end of the world, this was true hell and ten times worse in comparison. I got dressed and walked downstairs still contemplating a trip to New York.

I couldn’t let myself do it. I wouldn’t run to her.

Tanner was in the kitchen in a shitty mood. “Did you use all the hot water?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I went to the fridge to grab another beer and hoped that if I got good and drunk, I’d stay off the highway.

“You’ve drunk enough beer. Make that one the last.” Tanner walked over and opened the door to the fridge. He scanned the beer stock and slammed the door. “I’m cutting you off. Don’t make me have to lock the fridge.”

I held up my middle finger and cracked open the top of my cold one.

“Very nice. You look like hell. She really went home didn’t she?”

“Yep, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do to stop her. I even offered for her to move down and let me take care of her.” I shook my head. It was an idiotic thought. She was too independent for that. I remembered her telling me she wasn’t a girl; she was a woman; strong and able to care for herself. She didn’t need me. She’d gone back to the city where she was in charge of her life and her decisions. My stomach turned thinking about her being all alone there. Did she even have anyone besides her ex and her patients? I doubted it, and what did I have? A town full of people who adored me because I’d helped them out? I needed more than paid admiration.

“Stop sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and go after her. Women like that shit.”

“You sound like Finn. If you knew anything about women then why don’t you keep one longer than it takes to bust a nut? Why haven’t you marched over there and swept Nora off her feet.”

“Stop throwing shit in my face and do what’s best for you for a change. Go get her. Hell, move her ass in, I don’t care if you marry her, just don’t let this one get away.” He pushed my shoulder. “Go.”

“Who would look after you?” I nudged him back.

“If I get into trouble Nora’s right next door.” He motioned in the direction of her house.

“You know, if me leaving is what will make you go after Nora, then maybe I should.” I put the beer down and went for my keys.

“I did go after Nora. All I did was piss her off.”

“Yeah, well have you met her sister? What if the same thing happens? She can be just as stubborn.”

“No one’s as stubborn as Nora. And don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine, and I’ll even do one better and promise you I’ll stay out of trouble.” That was a tall order for Tanner.

“I want to head out as soon as possible. If I drive all night, I can make it there by morning.” I started to walk away, but he grabbed my arm.

“Maybe you should get some rest first, catch a few hours of sleep and then head out.” I shook my head. I wouldn’t give myself time to talk my way out of it.

“No, I’d never be able to sleep. I’m too wound up. I’ll be safe and stop if I need to. She won’t be expecting me, so I’m going to get Nora to tell me where she lives.”

He patted my back. “Good luck, brother. Be safe.”

I hurried upstairs knowing I wouldn’t slow down until I was with her again. I wasn’t coming back without her.