He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re beautiful...”

  “But?”

  “It just reminds me...”

  His voice trails off, and my mind starts wandering. “What? Reminds you of what exactly?”

  He lifts his hand and covers mine. He’s pressing my palm into his belly and holding it there. His face is torn, and I can see the inner battle he’s having with himself. “It reminds me that you’re too good for me... for this place.”

  “I’m not,” I tell him, shaking my head side to side.

  He sighs, and I know he’s about to break my heart by the thick emotion in his voice when he says my name. “Lakelyn.”

  “No.” I release him and step back. He’s not going to end this. I’m not going to let him, not for some insane way he sees me.

  He says my name again. “Lakelyn, honey.”

  “Lakelyn!” Kameron hollers.

  I sniff loudly and do all I can to hold back the tears, but one big fat one rolls down my cheek.

  “I have to go to work,” I tell Tate before turning around and running toward Tara. She’s going to have her work cut out for her because I can’t stop the tears. Tara sees me coming, and with a dirty look over my shoulder she hustles me into the tent. Damn him.

  Tate

  I royally fucked that up. I was up all night thinking about Lakelyn. I let myself believe that there could be a chance between us... that maybe we could just see where it goes. But as soon as she walked out of that tent, I got all twisted up inside.

  I need to leave. I should have been at the garage an hour ago, but here I am still standing here, putting myself in misery.

  I just can’t leave until I know she’s okay. Then I’ll leave.

  A few minutes later, I watch as the man Kameron walks into the tent. I can tell he’s mad, and it takes everything I have not to follow him in there to make sure he’s not yelling at Lakelyn. I have my hands on the caution tape, about to rip it into shreds when he comes back out... with Lakelyn and the other woman behind him.

  The woman pats Lakelyn on the back as Lakelyn makes her way to the staging area. I should go, but I’m fixed to the spot. Today they’re shooting the commercial. It’s been all over town, and when I went to grab a biscuit at Red’s this morning, everyone was asking me about my relationship with Lakelyn.

  I didn’t realize she was shooting as a couple today, but that’s obviously what’s happening. I feel like I’m about to lose my breakfast when the man is holding Lakelyn’s hand and they’re smiling at each other. They’re taking pictures of different poses... holding hands, hugging, even a brief kiss that makes my fists clench at my sides. I can’t watch this... but at the same time, I can’t look away.

  When they’re finally done with the pictures, I start to breathe easier until I realize they’re shooting the commercial now when someone hollers, “Quiet on set.”

  I cross my arms over my chest, eyes glued to Lakelyn.

  “Hard to watch, huh?”

  With a jerk, I look over at the woman that was with Lakelyn earlier. She holds a manicured hand to her chest. “I’m Tara. I do makeup.”

  I nod. “Tate.”

  She nods and puts her hand on her hip. “Oh, I know who you are.”

  I wait for her to let me have it for upsetting Lakelyn. I won’t blame her if she does. I deserve it. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to warn me off your friend.”

  She shakes her head. “Warn you off her? That’s the last thing I’m going to do... obviously there’s some kind of misunderstanding or something between the two of you. But I’ll tell you, I’ve worked on a lot of jobs with Lake, and I’ve never seen her happy like she was this morning... I’ve also never seen her so upset.” I start to talk, and she holds her hands up to stop me. “All I’m saying is don’t judge her... she’s not judging you for being... well, you... so don’t judge her. There’s things you don’t know about her.”

  I rub my hand right over my heart when Lakelyn is holding the asshole’s hand again. “I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me those things.”

  Tara laughs when she sees my reaction to what’s happening. “No, that’s for her to tell you. But I will tell you that he”—she points to the man with Lakelyn—“is gay.”

  With that, she slaps me on the shoulder and walks away. That should make me feel better, but it doesn’t. Gay or not, I don’t want another man’s hands on Lakelyn. I only want mine.

  8

  Lakelyn

  After a night of tossing and turning and hours of taping today, I’m done for. I know I need to just go back to the B&B and sleep. I’ll have one more day here in Whiskey Run, just long enough to shoot retakes if the director decides we need to after looking at today’s film. But instead of walking toward the B&B, I’m walking toward Tate’s garage. It could have something to do with Tara pressuring me, telling me that if I really liked him, I wouldn’t just give up. Or it could be that I’m just drawn to him, and even though it’s going to appear like I’m begging, I can’t just leave tomorrow. Not without talking to him first.

  I walk into the garage, and Tate is bent over under the hood of a Ford F350 truck. He’s mumbling under his breath as he works, and I take a minute to watch him. It’s obvious he knows what he’s doing even if he is frustrated.

  “Damn it!” he yells as he tosses a wrench into the toolbox next to him.

  “Try the five-eighths,” I tell him.

  His head swings toward me so fast I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He looks me up and down. He’s noticing that I’m in another pair of cut-offs and a T-shirt and flip-flops. I thought about staying in my makeup and updo, but I wanted to be comfortable when I faced him. And me, like this, makes me comfortable.

  He harumphs... but he does grab the five-eighths wrench, and he’s able to loosen the pipe fitting he’s obviously been working hard on. He doesn’t look back at me, but he does ask, “How’d you know that?”

  I walk toward him and stop next to him. “My dad.”

  He nods but doesn’t ask any more questions.

  “Are you going to talk to me?” I ask him.

  He’s quiet for so long I’m beginning to think he’s not even going to answer me. Finally, when I’m about to give up all hope, he does, but it’s not what I want to hear. “We don’t have anything to talk about.”

  I throw my hands up in frustration. “That’s funny. I thought we do. Or did kissing me last night not mean anything to you?”

  He doesn’t answer me, and I turn to go. “I should have known better. You are a player... you get off on girls falling for you and then shoot them down or something. Whatever, Tate. Have a good life.”

  I get as far as the door when I hear the clink of tools hitting one another and then his feet stomping across the pavement. He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me to him, while his other hand is on my hip, holding me close. His breath is hot and heavy next to my cheek. “I’m not a player.”

  I’m holding my breath. My nipples are tight, and my panties are already soaked. I lean my head back on his shoulder and push my ass back to feel his erection poke into my side. I move my hips, and he groans and then hisses a breath between his lips. “Fuck, what do you to me.”

  I grab his hands and pull them up my body until he’s cupping both my breasts in his hands. It’s my turn to moan when he squeezes their weight and flicks a finger across my hard tips. The garage doors are open. Anyone on the street would be able to see us, know what we’re doing, but I don’t care.

  “Tate,” I groan as he thrust his hips against me. His cock is hard, and I push back against him.

  He lets me go in an instant, and I moan in displeasure until I see him hurriedly lowering the garage doors and locking them. I don’t wait. I take off every stitch of clothing, and I’m glad I did when he turns around and I see the surprise and desire on his face when he sees my naked body.

  He’s on me in an instant. “Fuck, baby. I couldn’t sleep last night for thinking about you like this...”

  He’s touching me everywhere, his hard, callused hands stroking my body everywhere except where I need it. I pull his hand between my legs. “What were you thinking about... tell me,” I ask, wanting to hear him put it into words.

  His fingers go through my slick folds, and the moisture coats his finger. I’m wet... embarrassingly so but that’s how much I want him.

  He strokes back and forth. “I pictured you just like this... your naked beautiful body, moaning my name. I thought about how I wanted to take you... impale you on my dick until you forgot about any other man that’s touched you...”

  “No...” I groan when he pushes his long, thick finger inside me. “You’re the only one.”

  He freezes, but my body has a mind of its own, and I rock back and forth on his hand. I’m so close... I need to come.

  “Baby... Lake... stop...” he says.

  I shake my head, not stopping. “Please don’t stop, I need to come,” I plead with him.

  He crushes my lips with his, and his tongue mimics the movements of his finger. He’s pushing in and out of my body and then pulsating his thumb over my swollen clit. I come in an instant, hollering his name, gripping my nails into his forearms to hold on.

  He doesn’t stop until I’m completely satisfied and softly whimpering in his arms.

  Tate

  She comes with my name on her lips. That should be enough to last me for a lifetime, but it’s not. I told myself I could take what she’s willing to give and let her go. One night and that would be enough. But I already know I’m lying to myself. I’m a damn fool. She came apart in my arms, and already I’m trying to figure out how I can keep her.

  If she knew the thoughts I’m having in my head right now, she’d run. Because I’m picturing her with my ring on her finger, her belly swollen where I’ve bred her, and her by my side always.

  “Lake... baby...” I lift her into my arms and walk through the garage. Her head’s on my shoulder, and she’s limp in my arms.

  I walk into my office and sit down at my chair with her in my lap. Her pussy is spread out, fitted right over my cock. The rough denim is between us, but it doesn’t seem to faze her, because even now, after she’s already come, she’s seeking me out, pushing her hot pussy against my cock.

  I cup her face, push her hair out of her eyes, and force her to look at me. “Are you a virgin?”

  She blinks. Her eyes are bright, and her face shows that she was just well loved. “Yes.”

  I wrap my hand around her neck and remind myself not to hurt her, but the emotion that rocks through me when she tells me yes is enough to pummel me.

  She deserves better than me... better than this. She doesn’t need to lose her virginity in my dirty shop... with a redneck like me. If I was a better man, I would put a stop to this. The struggle is real. I put my forehead against hers. “I should get you dressed and send you out of here.”

  She doesn’t like what I’m saying. Her legs are dangling at my sides, and she hooks them around my legs, scooting forward until her thighs are like a vise around me. I almost come in my pants.

  She reaches between us and undoes the button on my jeans. She scoots back just enough to get the zipper down and then she reaches in and pulls my angry looking cock from my pants. It’s standing up, thick and erect between us. There’s already a bead of cum at my tip, and she smooths it over my bulbous head. My hips jerk.

  “You want me to stop?” she asks.

  “No,” I tell her in a strangled voice. Sweat drips from my brow. I could come with her petite little hands on me as she strokes up and down, but I’m not going to. Just like I didn’t let myself come last night. The next time I do, it’s going to be buried deep between her thighs.

  “That’s good. Because I don’t want to stop. You see, I pictured this too. Holding you in my hands just like this, stroking your velvety skin. I tried to imagine how it would feel If I sit on you just like this... but with you inside of me instead of in my hand. Can we try that, Tate? Can I put it in me?”

  “Fuck!” I say as she raises her hips over me. All it will take is a nod of my head and she’s going to drop on me.

  I think I’m prepared for it. I think I can handle it. I’m older than her... I’m more experienced, but when I nod my head, and she impales her sweet pussy down on me, I swear I see fucking stars. My world goes black for just a minute. She’s perfect... her pussy is perfect, snug and tight. Her eyes are wide, and I know she’s just as shocked as I am.

  She starts to move, and sweet fuck it’s the best feeling ever. She’s hugging me, and I have to move. I thrust my hips up into her and she cries out my name... She tilts her hips, pushing her breast into my face, and I suckle her nipple as she rides me.

  I’m so close. I’m going to come... but I don’t want to, not until she comes again. I need to make this good for her.

  I slide my hand between us and stroke her clit. She’s pushing her mound against me, and I bring her to orgasm with a few strokes over the bundle of pulsating nerves. I bellow her name as I come, painting her womb with my cum. She doesn’t stop moving until she’s milked me completely.

  Breathless, she curls her head against my chest. We are both quiet, and I wrap my arms around her. I could stay just like this and be the happiest man on earth. But I know that’s not an option. She lifts her head and starts to get up. I grip her hips and help her stand, not letting go until she’s steady on her feet.

  I look at her body, trying to commit it all to memory when I see the remnants of our lovemaking, the proof of me taking her virginity on her thighs. My heart races in my chest, and I’ve never felt anything so raw in my life. I stand up and tuck my cock back into my pants. “Wait, I’ll be right back.”

  I walk into the bathroom and grab what I need before I go back to her. I drop down on my knees in front of her.

  “I can do that,” she says and tries to take the warm, damp cloth from me, but like an obsessive man, I shake my head with a grunt. There’s something so primal about cleaning your woman who is dirty from your lovemaking.

  I wipe her thighs and then gently clean her sensitive folds. There’s blood on the cloth, but it doesn’t gross me out... if anything, it does the opposite. I fold it and put it in my back pocket. She looks at me strangely, but there’s no way I’m going to tell her that I’ll probably be stroking my cock with it when she’s gone.

  Gone... fuck, how the hell am I going to let her go?

  “Uh, can you get my clothes?” she asks.

  And I do. I grab them off the dirty floor of the garage and bring them back to her.

  9

  Lakelyn

  I try to dress myself, but he doesn’t let me. He dresses me patiently, and when I’m fully covered, he’s towering over me looking at me in confusion... like he can’t tell what should happen next.

  And I’m lost. I’ve never been in this position before, but I refuse to let him think I’m going to turn into a needy stalker. “Uh, I should probably go back to the B &B. Tomorrow’s the last day of shooting, and I didn’t sleep much last night.”

  “Stay the night with me,” he says in a quick jumble of words. I don’t know who’s more surprised by it, me or him. But I know he didn’t mean to say it.

  “Tate... you don’t have to—" I start but he doesn’t let me finish.

  “I know that. I want you to stay. I can take you by the B&B and grab what you need. I’ll fix us dinner and then I’ll let you sleep.”

  I put my hand on my hip. “You want me to come over to your house... just to sleep?”

  He grabs my hand and threads our fingers together. He’s looking at our hands, and he cringes before looking at me again. I look at our joined hands, and I know what he sees. His hands are stained from his hard work, and mine are perfectly manicured. The vast difference is almost palpable, but I hold his hand tighter and clutch it to my chest. I don’t know how to tell him that I don’t care how different we are... not without embarrassing him.

  He cups my face with his free hand. “I want you to come over and do a lot more than sleep... but sleeping is enough. I know you’re leaving soon. I just...”

  I nod in understanding. “I want to come.”

  He breathes a sigh of relief. I help him lock up. “Where’s Jeremy? I didn’t even think of him being here... he would have gotten an eyeful.”

  He opens his car door for me, and I slide in. “I would have cut his eyeballs out,” he mutters.

  “What?” I ask as he shuts the door.

  He walks around to the other side and settles in. “What did you say?”

  He smiles innocently at me. “He went into Jasper to pick up parts.”

  I smirk. “That’s not what you said.”

  He puts his arm on the back of my seat and pulls out of the parking lot. “I said I’d cut his eyeballs out if he’d seen you like that. I don’t want... It’s just...”

  I put my hand on his thigh and slide to the middle of the seat. Resting my head on his shoulder, I tell him the truth. “It’s okay... I wouldn’t want anyone else to see me like that... no one but you.”

  His arm comes down around me, and he holds me close. We ride just like that all the way to the B&B.

  Tate

  I know I asked her to come and sleep at my house, but I had no idea how hard it would be to keep my hands off her. I took her to the B&B so she could grab some things, then we went to the store so I could fix us dinner, and now we’re at my house.

  I worried what she was going to think, but I think she was actually pleasantly surprised. At least she acted like it anyway. “Dinner’s ready.”

  She walks into the kitchen after exploring the house. “Everything is so neat and clean.”

 

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