Chapter 16
Tawny
“Stop right there,” I whisper. “I feel where your thoughts are going. Please, stop Gray. Trust me to know my own mind. For so long I’ve been told what to do, what to think, how to behave. Please, let me have this. Let me have my own feelings and opinions where we, you, are concerned.”
“Your years of service show me your unwavering commitment. Your scars show me your bravery and willingness to sacrifice for the mission and others. You’ll finish what you start.
“Your age gives you the wisdom to know what’s really important. I know if you choose me, you’re devoted. I trust you. Please trust me to know my feelings.”
He pauses, then smiles. “I love your spunk. I love your bravery when you call me out. I love you, Tawny. Promise you won’t let me get away with anything.”
“Never, my love.”
He lies down beside me, turning so we’re both on our sides facing each other. “Where were we?”
“I think you were just going to kiss me.”
“Ahh yes.”
Cupping the side of my neck, he lowers his lips to mine. Soft. Warm. Gentle. He teases my lip with his tongue then we’re tasting and sampling each other.
“God, you’re beautiful. So beautiful. So perfect.” He skims his palm up and down my side from thigh to breast and back. His palms are slightly work roughened and I realize it’s probably from all the firewood he chops. No wonder his body is in such great shape.
He kisses a trail down my neck and over my shoulder as he eases down my body. When he finally reaches my nipple, I can’t hold back my gasp of pleasure as he gently suckles. “Yes. Oh yes.”
Lost in his attention to my breast, it takes me a moment to realize he’s also gently probing my channel with his finger as his thumb teases my clit. “Gray, oh Gray. That feels so good.”
“Yes, kitten. I’m going to make you feel so good. Just relax and enjoy.”
Relax? Pleasure is building, escalating as he continues to tease my nub.
Slowly I lose my grip on his head as he trails kisses down my abdomen, pausing to tease my belly button then travel lower.
His first lick of my nub has me clutching the sheets and moaning.
As he continues his attention I realize he’s slowly working two fingers in my channel.
It’s supposed to hurt. But all I feel is pleasure.
The first explosion ripples along my body, sending me into a free fall of languid release. “Gray...”
“Are you ready for me, kitten?”
“Yes. I want you, now Gray. “
Still engulfed by euphoric satisfaction the pressure of his cock slowly filling me is one more beautiful extension of his care. Once he’s seated in me, he pauses, looking down on me. “You ok?’
“I’m perfect. You’re perfect.
“I love you, Tawny. You are my everything.” He lowers his lips to mine. “So sweet. So beautiful.”
I cup his cheeks. “I love you, Gray. Teach me each trust binding us closer and closer. Soon I sense him losing control, but even then, he slides a palm between us and strokes his thumb over my most sensitive spot.
“Together,” he says, sending me spiraling with him.
Half asleep I feel him leave then return with a warm cloth to clean me. Soon he’s snuggled in behind me one arm wrapped around me, his hand holding mine between my breasts . “Sleep, love. I’m here. I’ll watch over you.”
I wake alone to the gentle murmur of voices and the smell of fresh brewed coffee. After a quick shower, I study my image in the mirror. I don’t look different. But I am different. I finally feel loved and wanted.
Gray and Micha are on one side of the counter Beck and Sheriff Harker on the other. They’re looking at a map.
“What’s happening?
“The Stumps are making a move. They’re coming to get you. State police are aware,” Gray informs me.
“Wha—what should we do? When do we leave? What should I pack?”
Gray puts his arm around my shoulder. “You’re safe, kitten.
We don’t do anything. We wait and let them make their move.
Once they do, the Sheriff arrests them and hits them with a half dozen local and federal charges.
They’re going down for years this time. All of them.
There’s already a request to reopen the investigation of your mother’s death.
Their hand-picked local police chief is singing like a canary to save his own ass.
Joey’s testimony is also going to help.”
“We’re going to end this today.”
Micha cocks his head and gives some kind of hand signal to Gray. Then partially lowers the screen on the laptop. “Go time.”
The Sheriff goes into the bedroom. Micha touches a panel next to the cupboard. It opens and he slips inside.
“Kitten, I want you to sit behind the counter in front of the computer like you’re working. In fact, show me the recipe you’re making for lunch. Just be calm. This is all going to be okay. I’m right here beside you. It’s almost over.”
“I think I’ll make mushroom and black pepper pasta for lunch,” I ramble nervously. “We have some leftover French bread I can toast and green beans. Did you gather eggs this morni?—”
The porch creaks seconds before the door flies open. Millard stands in the opening with a shotgun. Chris is right beside him with a handgun.
“You got something that belongs to me, boy. I don’t like anyone else playing with my toys unless I say so.”
“Nothing here that belongs to you, old man. In fact, you don’t belong here.
You forget how to read? There’s a dozen or more no trespassing and private property signs posted along the road in front of my property as well as along my drive.
Looks like you just bought yourself and Chris at least a month in jail. Maybe more.”
“Fuck you. Those don’t apply to me. Besides, I got me a lifetime Get Out Of Jail subscription. You can’t touch me.”
“Hate to tell you but your subscription expired this morning when the police chief was arrested and started singing to save his own ass. But you won’t be alone. All your son’s will be with you.”
Even I can see the flicker of doubt that crosses Millard’s face. “You’re lying.”
“I don’t lie.” Clay’s voice drops an octave.
“I don’t steal. I don’t set fire to people’s businesses or homes because I want the land or they pissed me off.
I don’t rape young girls and boys then hand them off to my sons to do the same.
I don’t murder my wives when they become inconvenient, or I want a newer model. Then collect the insurance money.
“I have been known to take out the trash. You and your sons are done. You’re going away for a long time.”
“You got no proof.”
“Believe what you want. You’re still going down.”
“Just shoot him, Dad. We take the girl and set fire to the place. Vic and Barny will make it look like trespassers did it again. Come on. Bitch owes me and she’s gonna pay today. I’ll start looking for where he hides his valuables.”
Before he gets two feet into the room, Beck appears behind him and has him in a choke hold. I don’t even register that Gray moved until I see him disarm Millard, twisting his arms behind his back.
“All clear, sheriff,” Gray calls.
“Where are the other two?” Sheriff Harker asks as he comes up behind me.
Beck chuckles. “I left them feeding the chickens.”
Clay reaches around me, clicks a couple button on the computer and a camera feed appears. The other two Stump brothers, Vic and Barnaby, are laid out in the chicken pen, hogtied and gagged. Feed has been poured over their prone bodies, and the chickens are happily gobbling up their breakfast.