19. Unpleasant surprise
Unpleasant surprise
Wade
What the fuck is Paige’s cruiser doing at my house? I already have enough bullshit to think about with the line of names that Elena identified.
“Is that your girlfriend’s car?” Elena sighs, slumping into the passenger seat. “She here for a nooner?”
“Funny. I have no idea. She didn’t call me on the radio.” My cell doesn’t work for half the trip home, so I wouldn’t know if she tried to call.
“Cool. So you won’t mind if I wait in the truck while you two do your thing ?” she snaps.
Huh. Testy girl.
“There is no ‘thing’. But yea, you can hang back.” I make a point of pulling the key from the dash and showing her I’m taking it with me.
I can’t let myself trust her.
When I push open my front door, Paige rushes to me, flinging her arms around my waist.
“Oh my god, Wade! I was so worried about you!” Her voice is muffled as she buries her face against my chest.
My palms find her shoulders to peel her away from my body. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I saw that girl’s tracker left. She escaped! I thought for sure she hurt you.” Paige’s fingers cling to the fabric of my shirt.
“What the fuck, Paige? No, she didn’t. I took her out to follow a lead.” Holding her at arm’s length, I try to step to the side.
“Please, Wade. Ollie’s gone, and I was so scared I lost you.” Pain etches her features.
I don’t hate her. There were moments when I worried I cared too much about her for the situation we were in.
So I take a deep breath and let her move closer, wrapping her in a hug. “I’m fine. Thank you for checking. But next time get a hold of me before driving all the way out here.”
“Can I stay here tonight? He doesn’t get back until tomorrow afternoon.” Her lower lip rolls between her teeth as she glances towards the porch.
“No. Go home. We talked about this.” I gently tug her hands until I have them clasped in mine. “You can’t stay here,” I say quietly.
Her chin quivers, then her lips thin. “Why not? Is she in your bed instead?”
“Stop it.” My patience is wearing thin.
“You want her. I can see it.” Her voice raises as she steps back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“What I want doesn’t matter. And it’s none of your business.”
“Ever since you saw her the first time. Your eyes changed. You don’t look at me the same.” One of her fingers makes a circle towards my face as her gaze flicks past me.
“Tell me you don’t want her.” Paige’s jaw juts into the air. “Go on.”
My teeth grit as I stare her down.
I’m not a liar.
An unseen touch from behind startles me.
Elena slides her palm over my wrist, then drops her fingers to weave them into mine. “You got your answer, bitch. Now get out of my house.”
The inside of my cheek becomes the sacrificial lamb when I bite it hard enough to keep from laughing out loud.
Paige’s skin flushes up from her neck until the red engulfs her. “Fuck you both,” she hisses.
“Your dick isn’t big enough for me,” Elena snaps back.
Jesus. I can’t fight back the snort watching Paige stomp out the door.
But then I become extremely aware of the fact that Elena is still pressing against my side with her thumb rubbing a small arc over mine.
And I want to let her.
“Okay,” I slowly extricate myself from her grasp.
Reluctantly.
“Fun and games are over.” I nod towards the dust cloud marking Paige’s departure.
Elena flashes me a wide grin. “I don’t know what part I enjoyed more? Watching you try to hide the truth, or putting her in her place.”
Her ass bounces as she skips across the living room to the kitchen.
What would it feel like if she made it jiggle like that while she sat on my face?
Christ.
Stop.
Pretending we were together was just for the ruse. That won’t happen.
With a groan, I kick off my boots and head in the direction of my room. “Since we’re back early, I’m gonna get that hay knocked down.” I think getting away from Elena and having some time to myself on the tractor is the best thing I can do now.
The only reason I mow that back pasture is for Dad’s old nag. She’s well past the age of being able to ride, but she earned a cushy retirement in his barn.
I learned how to ride on that horse. I don’t mind putting up a few bales every year for her.
When I pop out of my room, I’ve left my uniform behind to put on a light cotton shirt with my jeans.
Luckily my tractor has air conditioning. And a radio.
I’ll be able to drown out the wild ass thoughts in my head in comfort for a few hours.
“Well, ‘Farmer Bill’, will you be back for dinner?” Elena has a smile tickling her full lips as she leans against the counter with an icy glass of water.
She props one of her bare feet over the other, cocking her hip as she watches me tug on my boots.
“I wouldn’t worry too much. I can nuke some hot dogs.” I don’t even want to look at her.
My palm still burns where she held it.
Her timing was impeccable catching Paige pressing me with her questions.
Fucking hell. Paige knew she was there and was goading me to deny anything was going on.
“Gross. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, daddy .” Elena twists away, laughing as she closes the door to her room before I can reply.
That’s the problem. All I think about is the ways I want her to take care of me.
Straddling my hips.
My face.
Folding her over the counter.
Having her under me.
Adjusting my crotch, I shove down my aching cock so it doesn’t pinch against my zipper.
There’s a piece of me that’s happy she knows I want her.
I just have to keep it in my pants.
These tunes are pretty good tonight belting from the crappy speakers bolted behind me. Enough that I find myself singing along with half of the old country classics.
Most of them are stuff my Dad likes more, but I know the words.
I wonder if Blue is gonna be able to play the guitar any time soon? Last I talked to him, he was healing nicely.
Shit, I should call him. It’s been a month since he got shot.
I need to check and see if he’s still pissed Elena got off with a deal.
He won’t be once we figure out who’s really behind this shit. Having a few solid leads, I’ll be able to start in the morning tracking everyone down.
It makes my heart beat faster at the anticipation. The thrill of the hunt.
A flicker of movement near the edge of the field distracts me.
What is she doing?
Shorty shorts, a crop top, and bright white sneakers while carrying a grocery bag.
Her knees kick up as she high steps over the winrows of cut grass until she’s even with my next pass.
Turning off the blades, I pull to a stop next to her and pop open the cab. “What are you doing?”
“I brought you dinner to go.” Her infectious smile shows her teeth.
But when she leans to grab the rail, all I can see is the press of her breasts over the neckline of her snug shirt.
She does this shit on purpose, I just know it.
I ain’t complaining.
Just as she’s about to set down her parcel, she reaches inside and pulls out a cold beer.
Well damn.
“I thought you might like one since you’re almost done.” Her amber eyes shine in the last of the sun. “And I made you a crispy chicken wrap.”
I’m still in awe of her cooking skills. She hasn’t asked me for anything fancy on the grocery list, but she comes up with some of the most amazing meals.
“Thank you.” My stomach growls its appreciation too.
“It’s the least I can do.” She hangs from the handles in such a way that it crushes her chest tightly, accentuating her…assets. “I mean, you take care of me. You even turned down a sure fuck for me. That’s worth at least a snack.” Her wink is slow.
Provocative.
Then she purses her lips in a pause and lets go.
I have to sit and watch her perfect ass strut across the field before I refocus on the remaining task at hand.
I’ve never jacked off in my tractor before, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.