73. Negotiating With a Rabid Honey Badger
NEGOTIATING WITH A RABID HONEY BADGER
ELIAS
“Well, this is different,” I say, looking around the coffee shop west of town, and dropping onto the seat.
It smells like stale beer, pretzels, and sugary breakfast pastries… an odd combination, except for the constant foot traffic of welcome tourists. Coffee shop and breakfast restaurant by day, biergarten by night—the German towns of central Texas pull off what few others ever could.
“Yeah, well, who doesn’t love Fredericksburg?” Jon looks around the space and then back at me.
“I haven’t been here in years. It’s grown considerably since I came last. Why this place?” I follow Jon’s gaze before settling on my coffee and taking a sip.
“Because the money might be good on the land development side, but the constant expectation on the part of the developers that they can find one more nickel here or a single dime there means they’re waiting for someone to steal from them.
Great for investors, if they had any… but bad for employees—or in my case, contractors—who they watch as if I want to take their plans for my own. ”
“They assume a former DA would steal from them?” I scoff a bit.
“They assume everything anyone touches can be make-or-break… profit or loss.”
“So it’s a pleasant work environment then?” I deadpan.
“I have an office at my house. I avoid going in as much as I can but I don’t want to draw any attention meeting with you.” He stares, unseeingly, as if the picture in his mind’s eye is of something far different.
“Same. What can I do for you?”
“It’s really what I can do for you, Elias.
The county Commissioners are all on board and ready to go with beginning the legal battle of overturning the conservancy, except for Precinct Two, Jose Reyes.
He and Kimpton went to high school together.
The project is in Precinct One, but the Judge won’t begin a legal battle without all four commissioners on the same page.
As for Reyes, it’s not about the revenue not going into his precinct’s coffers.
That revenue will be spread throughout the county, and growth breeds growth, so it’ll flow into his precinct soon enough.
For his part, he doesn’t want the environmental impact and feels the easement has legal protection. ”
“And?”
“And they’re looking to oust him in November when he’s up for reelection.”
“Which stacks Commissioner’s Court with a five to nothing vote?”
He nods. “And they’ll back a candidate who’s more progressive than Reyes when it comes to development.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, but the Judge is up for reelection this year, too, and the word is that race could put a wrench in things.”
“Because…”
“Because he’s willing to make the legal case for dissolving the easement.”
“So a new judge slows things down and keeping Reyes makes it more complicated. Got it. What else?”
“Is there any chance there’s an old connection between Kimpton or Emilia and the CEO of the lead home builder? I haven’t been able to figure out if that’s the case, but I wonder if this is personal. It’s worth pulling those threads if you can find the connection.”
“I’m on it. You want me to loop you in when I know?”
“Depends… I need plausible deniability and all that,” he adds.
“I see. I’ll filter to you what I think you’ll need. The rest I’ll keep close to the vest. I’ll share as you want. Anything I can do for you?”
“Keep the ranch profile low if you can. The more they see and hear about the Rangers, the more aggressive they get on moving forward.”
“I’ll do what I can, Jon, but controlling any Ranger—much less all of them—is like negotiating with a rabid honey badger.” As if I could control any aspect of even one Ranger.
“Accurate. Honey badger doesn’t give a shit.”
“Ain’t that the truth?”
We talk a few more minutes about mutual friends and non-business topics. Eventually Jon gives me a handshake and a nod and wanders away toward the old town square. I head the other way back home to the web that seems to continuously ensnare us.
“Did you remember that today is Brax’s birthday?” Bright yells from her kitchen.
“Shit.” I slide my tie through my collar and unbutton the top button. “No. What did I do before you?”
“Probably your hand.” She peeks her head around the corner into her closet. Her smart-ass answer mirrors the grin on her face and the playfulness in her voice.
I whip my head to hers. “You’ll pay for that comment.”
“Oh yeah? Make me.” She bolts, laughing as she goes.
But I’m faster and find her in the laundry room making her way to the rarely used back door.
My arm bands under her breasts as I pull her back to my front. My lips hit her ear. “Caught you, darlin’. Now what?”
She says nothing but squirms, pushing her ass into my crotch. That does nothing but encourage my dick that’s already wishing for some attention.
I nip at her ear lobe. “Oh, you want to play, baby? Is that what you want?”
She reaches around behind her and grabs my cock. “I want this, Eli.”
“Not withholding from you, darlin’. Take what you want.” I pause before kissing her neck just below her jaw. “Or do you want me to give it to you? How do you want my dick, Bright?”
“Well, if you think you can give it to me like I like it, that’d be okay, I guess…”
“You guess, darlin’? Let’s see.”
I rip her shirt over her head and undo her jeans, still behind her, stepping on them and her panties to get them off as fast as possible. I yank her bra cups down and when she drops her head back onto my chest, I pinch her nipples.
“Eli!”
“Love it when you say my name.” I roll her nipples again as I trail my other hand down her side, over her ribs, below her belly button, before coming back to her hip and thigh. She wiggles and tries to seek my touch, growling in frustration as I avoid where she needs me most.
“Two options, Bright.” I undo my fly and yank down my slacks and briefs. “You can keep your hands around my neck or put them on the washer. Pick.”
“I— I…”
“I’ll decide then. Keep your hands around my neck. Don’t move or I’ll stop.”
“I need you, Eli.”
“Then do as I say, baby.”
Both of her arms lift, and she links her hands around my neck. It juts her tits out and arches her ass back to me.
“You’re sexy as fuck,” I growl into her ear, using one hand to guide my dick to her. I slide through her. “You’re wet. Tell me, Bright, did you get wet just talking to me? Or was it me playing with your tits?” I continue teasing us both. “Answer me, baby. Was it your tits?”
She releases an arm and reaches for her legs.
“No.” It comes out as a bark. “No, baby. I’m making you come. Keep your hands where I told you.” I’m teasing her entrance, fighting for control not to plunge all the way in, waiting for her to acquiesce.
Her hand slowly comes back up, but she releases an exasperated sigh. I can’t imagine any different response from this woman. She’s always trying to dictate something. Strong, sassy, and fucking gorgeous.
I kick her feet wider apart. “Can’t wait baby. You like this… Open to me. Waiting for me. Pussy weeping for me… Tell me, Bright. Is it aching?” I thrust in, bottoming out, and feel her grip me in her tight, wet heat. “Fuck. You’re fucking perfect.”
I fold over her, holding her up as I plunder her pussy, hearing her gasps. She’s wide open to me, taking me until I hit the end of her, drawing a series of loud moans from her.
“Oh, God, Eli. Can’t take any more. Going to come so hard—”
About the time that the wave starts to suck at her, I find her clit and strum it relentlessly.
“Can’t handle more, E—”
“Oh yeah, you can, baby. Take what I give you.”
The sound of her second orgasm tells me she can handle even more. I keep giving, bending my knees, slamming into her.
“Fuck, baby. You’re perfect. This pussy may be the death of me but I’ll gladly be a goner if this is my end.”
Her legs begin to give out, and it takes all my strength to hold her up while my body succumbs to hers.
When my legs have stopped vibrating from phenomenal sex and the need to hold us both up, I pull out of her but replace my dick with my hand.
Nipping at her earlobe, I pant, “Was that okay, darlin’?” I move in and out of her and over her clit, stroking slowly, feeling her shiver. I smile at the back of her neck.
“I—”
“I’d just hate it if I left you needy. Did I give you something acceptable?”
“I… um…”
“What’s this? Is Brighton Ranger speechless? What’s today’s date? I need to write this down.”
“Sarcasm isn’t becoming on you.” There’s no force in her languid voice.
“Not true, baby.” My other hand slides to her belly. “Speaking of… One day I’m going to give you one of those, or maybe two…” I press my hand to her flat abs and pull her into me tightly. “I’m going to make gorgeous babies with you and have an even more perfect life than we do now. Just you wait.”