STORY EXCERPT

He’d felt queasy since he’d set foot on her property. It was that nervous bundle of knots that always formed with anything unknown, whether it was a person or a situation. Noah couldn’t turn away from a lady who was struggling. That usually prompted him to intervene. He had no dating skills, but offering his back for physical labor was no problem.

Ben was at work, and since Noah only had part-time hours on the road department, he was planning on getting in a full day of renovations.

He’d watched her from afar, her willowy frame trying to drag a fifty-pound bag of mulch across the yard. A widow at thirty, Jesus. Ben had told him that Liz’s husband had passed away, but to hear it from her made it a hard, cold reality. Did I think she was older? The word “widow” sounded old. The look that glazed over her tired eyes only added to his anxiety.

Noah never knew what to say or how to handle people like himself, and he was pretty sure he and Liz were treading water in the same murky pond, trying not to drown in fear and misery. He didn’t even know how to cope with himself. The idea of him ever being able to offer any type of comfort to another was ridiculous. That would be like a shrink going to see another shrink.

He paced up and down the length of the porch while he waited for her. The longer he waited, the more apprehensive he got. What would they talk about? I’ll just down the tea and scoot back into my own yard. He leaned on the railing, taking in the rural peacefulness. It really was beautiful here. He’d had to battle that peacefulness the first few weeks. It was too quiet for him to sleep. Noah usually needed some type of background noise. He’d grown up accustomed to the racket of a twenty-four-hour-a-day operation. It was a daily routine that consisted of changing shifts, buzzers sounding, and someone in authority ordering you to your next destination. They decided what you ate, what you wore, and when you could use the toilet.

After meeting Ben, Noah often forgot that he no longer needed permission to do things. Noah gripped the railing. His eyes fell to his clenched fingers before moving to a nearby plant that sat in the corner where the railings met. He leaned into the plant. His eyes went wide at the sight of what looked to be a discarded marijuana cigarette. Tempted to confirm what he thought he was seeing, he reached for it, but quickly retreated when the back screen door opened and Liz emerged, carrying a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses.

“Sit, please,” Liz said, waving him to the swing. Noah sat down, the swing swaying. Liz set the glass pitcher and two tumblers down on a small table. “Help yourself.” Liz walked to the far end of the porch and retrieved a chair. Relieved that she wasn’t going to sit next to him, Noah took one of the glasses and poured hers first, careful not to allow the lemon slices to fall into her glass.

Liz sat down. Noah handed Liz her drink, surprised that his eyes took a hasty tour up and over her shapely legs. Her skin looked smooth, blushing with a peachy hue. Her voice rang out around them. His fingers gripped the glass.

“Thanks again.” She smiled, tipping her glass back. Noah nodded, sticking his nose into his glass, running to safety again. Ben said he had a talent for that. Whatever others thought was normal was alien to him. Sitting on a porch gazing out at the countryside drinking iced tea with a woman was one of them. Noah gulped the chilled tea, his dry throat cooling. A sweetened fragrance seeped into his nose. Was it her, or nature’s new season?

“It’s not a big deal, really,” Noah insisted. “Don’t hurt yourself.” Her expression changed, dropping a bit. “No, no,” Noah’s voice rose. His face twisted, wishing he could eat his words right out of the air. You idiot! “I didn’t mean it that way, really. Just remember that we’re here, me more so than Ben. You know his job can be demanding. What I’m trying to say is…” He shook his head in frustration.

Liz spoke, coming to his aid. “I know.” She smiled. “I’ll ask next time,” she told him. “Please just be honest with me. If you’re busy, you’re busy.” She escaped his eyes quickly.

Noah took a deep breath, relieved. He settled back into the cushions and extended his legs. His muscles were tightening up, a good excuse to leave before he got lazy. Instead of drinking his tea, Noah found himself drinking in Liz’s profile as she stared out into the treed horizon. Her hair had lovely waves of loose curls, full of movement that rested right on her shoulders. Her eyes were a pretty, sweet brown, but they were sad. They sort of dipped downward at the outer edges. The last part of her face Noah wanted to see was her lips. Regardless of his dysfunctional fears, his risk didn’t disappoint. Liz did have a gorgeous mouth, her lips pouty and full. Her soft voice moved through the tranquil quiet, her eyes still staring into the spacious backyard.

“So what are you working on today?” she asked, facing him. She rested an elbow on her knee, bobbing the toe of her sneaker.

“We’ve made it upstairs. I’m gutting out the bathroom today. I should get back.” Noah set his glass down on the table and stood. “If I can help you with anything else…” Noah raked his fingers through his hair. Liz rose from her chair.

“I’ll be sure to ask,” she nodded. A tangle of hair fell over her arched brow. Her gaze hovered around him, settling on his eyes briefly.

Her question caught him off guard, icing him over like a snowstorm.

“Have you and Ben been friends long?” Liz shifted her weight, maybe uncomfortable with her inquiry.

“I met Ben when I was eighteen,” Noah informed her.

“Oh, wow,” Liz answered, her brows raised.

The past was coming at him like an avalanche. One question always led to more. The guys on the road department never pushed, but women were different. They always wanted to know more.

ADULT EXCERPT

“Thank you for coming. Every time I see you I want more and more of you,” he murmured. His voice was low and throaty. Ben’s other hand rested on her waist. His hips gently rolled against hers. His body spoke, its message loud and enunciated. She could feel him. His cock was distended, lightly rubbing against her. Her head fell back, the bark sharp on her scalp. His face blended in with the shadows, his lips now on hers. A light kiss led to the breath of his words tickling her lips.

“I’d like more, but I don’t want to push,” Ben whispered. When his tongue artfully traced her lower lip, Liz felt her body kick on, waking up like a dormant machine. The sensation began in her toes, moving up and over her body like a wild and crazy growth wrapping around her limbs. Their lips sealed. Their mouths naturally opened, inviting the other in to taste. His tongue brushed the insides of her mouth, slowly gliding over the surface of her tongue. The kiss was impeccable, sweeping her off her feet. Gravity waned, giving in to the power of his affectionate persuasion.

The attention and graciousness with which Ben carried himself was as enticing as his kiss. Though Noah was a powerful deterrent, the way Ben served his affection to her was a delicacy no woman could turn away from. He was luring her out. Liz touched his teeth, venturing into his heat, tasting the fruity sweetness in his mouth. His palms slowly skimmed up her body, lifting the hem of her tank top. Her lungs caught. Her heart raced with the craving, the uncertainty. It had her in knots. Liz’s celibate body screamed. All reservation was gone, being wiped away by his touch. An anguished moan escaped from her throat. Ben slowly lifted the material, raising her arms into the air. Her tank top fell onto the dewy grass at their feet. Ben placed her hands on the thick branch above. Liz curled her fingers, gripping, hanging on. She hadn’t worn a bra. The cool air hit her flesh. She felt her nipples tingle in response. The chalky haze of the moon glazed over her nakedness.

Ben’s hands slid over her torso, cupping her breasts.

“Oh God,” Liz whispered. The huskiness of her voice surprised her. It’s been so long. His head dipped. Her eyes closed at the sensation of a wet, hot tongue as Ben licked the swell of her breast. Her nails dug at the bark. Her lungs fought for more air. She glanced down, watching his lips part. His mouth enveloped her, suckling gently on her nipple. Fire raged, searing her skin. Her belly tingled, waking with an erotic excitement. Her hips fidgeted. His mouth moved slowly, like thick syrup dripping. A rush of air hit her again as he lowered to his knees. His mouth moved over body, his teeth nipping at the button of her shorts. Liz’s eyes flew open, staring into a twinkling night sky. She did want this. The urge was there. Something that’d been dead was being rebirthed and brought back to life. Her pussy was wet, swollen with the desire to receive another man’s attention. He slid her shorts down to her ankles, lifting her feet with care. He skimmed the edges of her panties, teasing her through the thin silk before removing them.

His actions were precise and unhurried. Ben was giving her the opportunity of a polite refusal. Her body ached for a release. She absorbed his tender touch. The ground beneath her feet vanished. He had her floating better than any drug she’d ever ingested. His soft fingers were on her, parting the delicate folds of pussy. His hot breaths warmed her skin. The gentleness of his tongue on her had her calling out.

“Ben,” Liz gasped. Her spine crumbled into dust. Ben held her hips, his lips on her navel.

“I’m right here.” The words of his affirmation were hoarse. “I want to give you pleasure. I don’t want you to feel any more pain, just decadent pleasure. Please let me,” he pleaded. “You’re so beautiful.” He rained her belly with kisses. His finger eased into her heat, sliding through her pussy with feathering touches. Liz’s head tipped back, her mouth opening in awe. He slipped his hands around her hips, cupping her ass. His mouth suckled her clit before his tongue tenderly lapped at her pussy with slow, soothing strokes.

“Oh,” Liz whimpered. Her legs turned to liquid, the weight of her own body suddenly too much. A hand retreated back. Ben’s finger slid up inside her, uniting with her heat. She was cresting, riding an endless wave. His mouth and finger worked in unison, a rhythm that was custom made for her. Her body arched, bowing into the cool night air. Her arms began to numb. His finger left her, his tongue now swirling over her pussy.