10. Nate
TEN
nate
I’d just left the PAX terminal and headed to the chow hall.
I picked up my phone. Zoe would be sleeping. It was only six a.m. in New Orleans, and after starting the day yesterday with two Hurricanes at Pat O’s, I couldn’t imagine it would be an early day. Smiling as I thought of our first New Orleans exchange, I sat down at an empty table.
The urge to text her was strong.
Instead, I let my mind wander to the text I’d gotten from my uncle a few weeks earlier. The one that changed the trajectory of my life. Without warning, I’d been thrown back into high school with zero clue as to what I wanted for my future. College should have been the plan according to my parents. Yet that never felt quite right. And so, I’d enlisted in the army.
When my father’s brother later asked if I wanted to take over his well-established restaurant in downtown Saratoga, with no kids to leave it to and a desire to see it stay open, I’d jumped at the chance. It would work out perfectly. He wasn’t quite ready to retire yet, and I’d found my place here in the army having just graduated top shot at sniper school.
After my injury, learning I’d decided not to reenlist, he’d said, “Looks like that’s my sign to retire.” Although my mom wasn’t thrilled about my decision not to go to college, her not-so-subtle links to the Post-9/11 GI Bill coming every few months, my dad was happy to see his brother and I working things out.
Until it blew up in my face.
“Sorry, kid. Bad news. Unless you can come up with a half mil fairly quickly, I have to sell.”
It had taken me three reads to even understand what the hell his text meant. When my mother sent a succession of no less than five frantic texts a few seconds later, the picture had become pretty clear.
My uncle had all but gambled away the restaurant. And no, I couldn’t come up with half a million dollars, especially from over here, on that timetable. Probably not at all.
So, he sold.
And I was shit out of luck.
How’s it going over there?
I was pulled back to the present by Zoe’s text. I grabbed my phone.
What are you doing up so early?
Trying to catch you before you go off the grid for the day.
Go back to bed, you nut.
Make me. . .
I’d dearly love to.
Yeah? What would you do when you got me there?
Ahh, so that’s how she wanted to play.
Feelin’ spicy already?
Indeed. We have a private little courtyard here. Already made myself a coffee in the room, quietly, of course, and am enjoying the solitude. It’s so quaint. Wrought iron everything.
Enjoying the solitude, huh?
Yep
How would you enjoy me pulling you off that wrought iron chair, carrying you back to bed, and having my way with you?
I’d enjoy that very much.
And then. . .
What exactly does that mean? Have your way with me?
So, she wanted details, did she?
Zoe. How private is that courtyard?
Very!
Show me.
The picture that came through wasn’t at all what I was expecting. Sure enough, Zoe had her legs extended on a second chair, but what really drew my attention was the fact that her hand was very clearly down the front of her black leggings.
Dear Lord
Instant wood.
How I’d love to rip those leggings off your body right about now.
More importantly, as she sent a smile face emoji, my girl wanted me to get her off, and I was more than willing to oblige.
Put those fingers deep inside your pussy. RIGHT now.
Done
Now I want you to imagine they are mine. I have you on the bed and am working you.
Mmmmm
I’m fingering you, forcing you to come whether you like it or not.
I like it. Very much.
Come for me, Zoe girl.
I gave her a second and then texted again.
Do you feel my fingers inside you?
I do.
Do you feel my body next to you? Primed. Ready. To make you come a second time with my dick?
OMG, Nate
Fucking do it, Zoe. Come on, sweetheart.
Nate…
Just wait until I get you on that bed. You won’t have a choice. Come on, Zoe.
I was hard as a fucking rock imagining her in that courtyard fingering herself to my words. How I’d endure weeks, maybe months of this, I wasn’t sure.
No response. She was close.
Come. All. Over. My. Fingers.
Still nothing.
Did you come for me?
Uh, yeah
Score. Except now I wouldn’t be able to walk anytime soon. If an alarm went off, I was totally screwed.
Wish I could be there to see your face.
I’m smiling from ear to ear.
Good. So, what’s on the docket today?
I had to focus on something else.
Brunch this morning at the Court of Two Sisters. From there, it’s anyone’s guess.
You guys are going hard, huh?
Only a few days down here so. . .
And we’re up to two?
She immediately picked up what I was dropping.
So far. Why? Have plans for more?
Not a busy day yet so. . . we’ll see.
Now I’m really excited.
About NOLA?
No, about hearing from you again.
Count on it.
Promise?
Unless something crazy happens here, yes. Now go enjoy your coffee while I try to make my way to the gym.
Ha ha. Wish I could help you with that. Anytime, you know.
I might take you up on your offer sooner rather than later.
You know where to find me.
I do. Later, Zoe girl.
Later, gator.
I looked up. Thankfully no one seemed to notice. Now to get Zoe off of my mind while I attempted to get rid of this rock-solid boner.
Good luck with that, Nate. Good fucking luck.