Chapter 8
EIGHT
Paxton
The trees blur into streaks of green as I push the accelerator harder, going faster than I should be.
The need to get home from this latest trip is overwhelming, and it has nothing to do with wanting to sleep in my own bed.
Nope, not this time. This time it’s knowing that soon Hartford will be wearing a vibrator that I control.
It’s fucked up on so many levels, but every time I think about it, my dick gets hard.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’ll be getting Hartford off, or if it’s because I’ll be in control.
I never thought of myself as a dominant guy.
Sure, in the bedroom I tend to be demanding and rough, but I’ve never taken complete control of someone’s orgasm.
It’s a powerful feeling.
My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts and I should be grateful, but I’m pissed because a part of me wants to keep thinking about Hartford.
“What?” I snap out.
“That’s how you greet your sister now?” Anya says.
I scrub a hand down my face, regretting the decision to answer the phone without looking. “Sorry, Anya. What’s up?”
I know why she’s calling, but I’m going to play stupid. I’m staying out of whatever is going on between her and Callum. Personally, I think he’s being a dramatic prick, and she’s being an entitled diva, but I’ve kept my mouth shut.
Anya wants to work at the brewery now that she’s home from college. Callum wants no part of it. I’m not even sure why he won’t give her a chance to prove herself. Her ideas are good. I guess.
“Where are you?”
“Driving home from Danforth. Been on the road selling beer for a few days and I’m eager to sleep in my own bed.”
“How’d you make out?”
“It was good. What’s this phone call really about?”
She sighs as I turn onto the highway that will lead me back to Magnolia Ridge.
“Have you spoken to Callum?”
“No, why?”
“Do you think he’d listen to a proposal from me?”
I keep driving. “Proposal about what?”
“I have a few ideas on how to increase the profits at Atta Boy.” My sister’s voice is nervous. I can tell.
One thing about Callum is he doesn’t like being told how to run his business. I’m not sure how he’s going to feel about Anya giving him ideas. Sure, he should listen. That would be the rational thing to do. However, we’re talking about Callum here. He’s anything but rational.
“You know how Callum is,” I say, not really needing to elaborate.
She takes a deep breath and then says, “That’s why I’m talking to you first. You’re the most level-headed. I need you to talk to him and convince him to see things from my point of view.”
“I thought you were going to college to pursue a career in interior design.”
“And I switched my major to business. It makes me happy you take an interest in my life.”
I tighten my hands on the steering wheel.
She’s good at making me feel guilty. That’s what happens when you’re the only girl with five brothers.
“I forgot, Anya. I knew you switched majors. And you know I will walk through the flames of hell to protect you or make sure you’re happy.
But I’m not getting in the middle of you and Callum. ”
“You don’t need to get in the middle. Let me stop by and show you my ideas.
Show you I’ve got this all figured out down to the very last detail.
Please let me show you. If you look at it and think it sucks, then I’ll stop being a pain in the ass.
But you won’t, Pax. You’re going to realize your sister is a genius. ”
I can hear the pouting and I shake my head. “I have plans tonight and tomorrow, but how about Sunday at family dinner?”
“Yes, thank you, Pax. I love you.”
“Love you too, Anya.”
“What are your plans?” she asks.
“Goodbye, Anya,” I say with a small laugh, ending the call.
I love my sister, and I’ll look over what she has and if I think it’s worth the fight, I’ll do it, because I wasn’t lying when I said I’d walk through the flames of hell for her happiness.
But Atta Boy Brewery is our livelihood, so if this idea is horrible, I’ll tell her. Because our reputation is everything.
I sigh when I see the sign that says I’m twenty miles from Magnolia Ridge.
I just can’t get home fast enough.
My phone dings as I’m buttoning the dark gray dress shirt I’m wearing tonight. We’re going to Moore’s Restaurant for dinner. I sure as hell couldn’t do this experiment at Atta Boy with my nosey brothers around. That’s the last thing Hartford needs. It’s the last thing I need.
I pick up my phone and speak of the relentless assholes.
Tripp: Question for you guys.
Brock: What’s up?
Callum: What?
Shepherd: It’s called an erection.
You need a picture book or something?
Tripp: Jealous my dick sees more action than all of yours combined?
In your dreams.
Brock: Your hand doesn’t count.
Shepherd: Neither does paying for a hand job at a strip club.
Callum: What’s the question?
Tripp: Ever heard of Cooter ball?
Callum: What the fuck, Tripp?
Brock: Haha, where’d you hear that?
You’re not fucking playing that.
Shepherd: I’m lost. I hate not being there.
Callum: When you coming home?
Shepherd: Not soon enough.
Tripp: I’ll play whatever the hell I want.
Do you even know what it is?
Brock: Is this the new teenage thing?
Shepherd: What the fuck is it?
Callum: Christ, Shep, open up Google.
Tripp, why the hell didn’t you Google it?
Tripp: I did! I was just seeing if you guys ever heard of it. Damn.
Shepherd: Fuck, Tripp. Why are you talking about this?
Tripp: Cooter ball is where you go to the strip club and wad up dollar bills, toss them, and try to get it to stick to the stripper’s pussy area.
Callum: Something is seriously wrong with you.
Brock: I did it once.
Callum: Bullshit.
Tripp: I watched a video.
Haha.
Shepherd: You really did it, Brock?
Brock: Yep.
Tripp: Where?
Brock: Woodpeckers.
Callum: Liar. Closest you ever got to money in a pussy was in a G-string at the club.
Brock: Fucking truth.
Shepherd: I think I need to experience this.
Tripp: Me too.
Callum: You want to toss a wadded-up dollar bill and try to get it to stick to a woman’s pussy? That’s your idea of fun?
Pussy in any sense is fun or has it been so long you forgot?
Callum: It’s been a long time for you too, Pax.
Tripp: You both definitely forgot the feeling of pussy.
Callum: Tripp, shut the fuck up. Your goddamn voice just dropped.
Tripp: Let’s all hit the club tonight.
Brock: Yeah, I’m not good at sharing pussy with my brothers. But hey, you do you, boo.
I’m out. I’ve got plans.
Callum: Plans? What plans?
Brock: Plans with Hartford?
Yeah, we’re going to Moore’s.
Tripp: Oh la la…
Brock: Shit, things are getting serious.
Shepherd: Our boy’s in love.
Stop being an ass. I’m just helping her out with an article.
Callum: About what?
…
Callum: Tell us.
Shepherd: Just tell us.
Tripp: WE NEED TO KNOW.
Brock: Must be sexual because he’s not answering.
Callum: Pax?
Brock: Come on dude, don’t leave us hanging.
Paxton has turned off notifications.
As I drive to Hartford’s place, I can’t keep the grin off my face. This is uncharted territory for me, and the anticipation builds as I draw nearer to her house.
By the time I park in her driveway, I’m ready to explode with desire. I walk to the door to get her, because, after all, I’m a gentleman. A gentleman with the power of orgasms through my phone.
She opens the door and I’m speechless. I’ve been out with Hartford more times than I’ve been out with my brothers, but there’s something about her tonight.
Something that takes my breath away. She’s wearing a sexy black dress that drapes off one shoulder and hits just above her knees.
Her auburn hair falls in waves around her slim shoulders, and her makeup is darker than normal.
“Hey,” she says, allowing me to walk inside.
“Hey.” I run my eyes over her body, down her toned legs to her black heels, and up again. “You look, wow, Hart. You look stunning.”
“Thanks.” She hustles away and snags her purse from the coffee table. “So, I guess we should go?”
When she crosses back to me, I rest my hands on her shoulders and lock my eyes with hers. “Do you have it on?”
She rolls her eyes and tries to step away from me, but I tighten my hold. “Yes, Pax. That’s the point of this, isn’t it?”
A pulse thrums straight to my cock at the thought of her having it on right now. “Yeah, it is, but I’m just checking one last time that you’re good with this. I don’t want to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
I want her to say she’s comfortable with it more than I want my next breath. I’ve thought of nothing but this for far too long, but I also don’t want her to regret anything. I don’t want to take her orgasm unless she’s all in.
“I’m a little nervous, but I’m good,” she says, squeezing my arm.
“Should we try it out before we do it for real?”
She shakes her head quickly, finally pulling out of my hold. “No, let’s just go.”
It’s a short drive to the restaurant, so once I put my Jeep in drive, I focus on the road as she flips through the radio stations. She’s always in control of the radio in my Jeep. Most times she connects her phone’s Bluetooth and plays her own playlist, but not tonight.
“At Velocity Auto Emporium, we’ve got the keys. To the car of your dreams, just come and see! From sleek sedans to rugged trucks,” she sings out. “Velocity Auto Emporium, where your car dreams come true. We’re waiting here, just for you.” She sighs. “I love that jingle.”
I peek over at her, grinning. “I know you do.”
She sings the jingle every time she hears it. And every time it makes me laugh. It’s cute.
“One day, I’ll buy a car from there.”
“And get rid of Norma Jean?” I ask, talking about her red Volkswagen Beetle.
“Norma Jean is on her last leg.”
“I can ask Harold at Harold’s Auto Shop if he can take a look at it.”
Hartford shrugs. “No, it’s okay. I’m just thinking ahead.”