Connor (5 page)

She’d
looked one hundred percent sexy and totally cleaned up when he’d picked her up
about thirty minutes ago. Red was her color. She was full-figured the way he
preferred his ladies and no, she wasn’t anything like her granny. He even bet
that Beatrice
Nealon
had possessed
crankles
. Jennifer had shapely legs and tonight they were
adorned with pale black hose.

The
restaurant was on the top floor of one of Missoula’s downtown hotels.

“I
can’t wait to try this place. The T-bone steak is supposed to be the best in
Montana. And the crème
brulee
is to die for,” said
Jennifer as they rode in the elevator.

Connor
smiled. He liked a woman that wasn’t afraid to eat. The last girl he’d dated
had ordered a house salad and then just picked at it like a sparrow. He liked a
woman with some insulation on her. It made making love that much more exciting.

“What
are you grinning at?” Jennifer asked him. “I have something on the back of my
dress, price tag maybe?”

He
hadn’t been aware he’d been outwardly registering the thought of making love to
her. She must have noticed his smile and thought back to the days at school
when he and his buddies had teased her.

“Are
you going to relax around me or what? I am not out to get you.”

“Can
I help you, sir?” asked a man standing behind the desk at the entrance to the
restaurant.

“Yes,
I have reservations for two and the name’s Nolan-Delaney.”

Now
whenever he said that he couldn’t help but think about Sarah, Jon, and Shaun
and their three way relationship.

The
man checked his computer screen and then grabbed two menus.
“If
you’d like to follow me.”

Connor
signaled for Jennifer to go ahead of him. He knew he shouldn’t have, but he
couldn’t take his eyes off her ass as she walked to the table. What he wouldn’t
give to see it naked.

The
man held out the chair for Jennifer. She sat and Connor did the same. He took
off his jacket and hung it on the back of the chair.
Raspberries.
He smelled those condoms from his sister’s store. He casually glanced in his
pocket. Four sat in there. Katy must have slipped them in when he wasn’t
looking.
So typical of his sister.

“Something
wrong?” asked Jennifer.

“No,
it’s just…” He couldn’t tell her. “Nothing,” he said.

“You’re
sometimes hard to read,” she said, opening the menu.

****

He
somehow wished Betty hadn’t put him in this situation,
not
that he wasn’t enjoying being with Jennifer
. In fact, it was just the
opposite. She was smart and their conversation interesting, much more so than
with the other women he’d dated. She showed a knowledge of what was going on in
the county, in Montana, in the nation as a whole and he found it refreshing.

Their
legs bumped under the table for the third time in the space of a minute.

They
looked at one another. He wanted her, wanted her right here on the tabletop.

The
sexual tension had built inch upon inch during their dinner. The sun was
setting over the mountains and lights in Missoula were turning on, casting a
romantic twinkling effect that added to the dreaminess of the moment he found
himself in.

Had
he just thought of twinkling and dreaminess? Had Betty foreseen this image of
the two of them together at a table watching the day turn to night?

“Can
I get you anything else?” asked the waiter.

“Not
for me but how about you, Jennifer?” asked Connor.

She
leaned back and patted her stomach. “I’m more than full.”

“I
guess we’re done. The food was excellent by the way,” said Connor.

“Glad
to hear that and I’ll be right back with your bill.”

There
was an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.

“What’s
on your agenda for tomorrow?” asked Jennifer.

“I
have a day off. I’m going riding at my folk’s place and then I have the
Thursday night debate with my opponent. And on Saturday I’ll be bidding on a
bachelorette.”

“I’ll
be there too. Not to cover the story, but as one of the bachelorettes,” said
Jennifer.

 
The waiter brought the bill and Connor simply
handed him the gift certificate. ‘I think this will take care of it and take
the rest as your tip.”

“That’s
very generous, sir. I hope we’ll see you and this beautiful lady back here very
soon.” He walked away.

“I
like that man a lot,” said Jennifer.

Connor
laughed. “I’m guessing he says that to every woman who dines here.”

Shit.
That came out
of his mouth before he’d realized it. And he knew how it must have sounded.
Jennifer stood, didn’t say a word, but headed out of the restaurant.

Me and my damn
big mouth
.

He
grabbed his jacket and ran after her, catching up with her just as the elevator
doors opened up and she rushed in trying to close the door so he couldn’t get
in with her. How she thought she was getting home he didn’t know. He had the
truck and the car keys, and Grantsville was too far of a walk from Missoula.

He
put his foot in the door, preventing it from shutting all the way. It squished
against his suede cowboy boot. Through the gap in the doors he could see
Jennifer not taking her finger off the close doors button. He finally managed
to push the doors apart with his hands and got inside.

“You
are the most rude and insulting man it’s been my misfortune to meet,” she said.

“I
didn’t mean it to sound like it did. I have a way of putting my cowboy boot in
my mouth. I get it from my father’s side. Maybe it was a Nolan thing, or maybe
a Delaney
hang
up.”

“Would
you please get out of this elevator?” she asked him.

“How
are you going to get home?”

“I’ll
take a cab.”

“A cab.
You know how
much that’s going to set you back?”

“Then
maybe some polite man will give me a ride home.”

“A man giving you a ride home, in your
dreams maybe.”

Shit,
that had come out wrong too. He didn’t mean a guy wouldn’t want to give her a
ride. Any guy looking at her in that red dress would slam on the brakes. He’d
meant to say that now people were getting weary of offering strangers a ride.
Damn. What was it about Jennifer that made him say what he really didn’t mean?
Usually he was a smooth operator around women.

She
was raising her hand again and he was going to get slapped again. He just knew
it. This time he got hold of it before it made contact with his face. He held
her tight, but she was fighting him with all her strength.

“Oh no you don’t,”
said Connor.

With
his free hand, he pressed the button to close the elevator and hold it so it
wouldn’t move and no one could get in with them. A little trick he’d learned
with his buddies. One of the pranks they use to play in the department store in
Grantsville. Tie up the elevator so people had to walk.

“What
are you going to do?” asked Jennifer.

“This.”

He
leaned in and kissed her. Her body gradually relaxed and yielded to his. She
opened her mouth to him, letting him slide his tongue over her lips and then
into her mouth.

Wow,
this felt right and it felt so damn good. They pulled away still looking into
one another’s eyes. He held her tight, hoping she wouldn’t try and flee because
he had to put things right.

“I
didn’t mean that you weren’t attractive and that the waiter used that line on
every woman. He probably does, but in your case it’s true. I just wish you’d
given me the chance to add that.”

He
had the mother of all erections and there was no way Jennifer didn’t know it
too.

“You’ve
got to stop being so hard on yourself thinking that…”

He
stopped, deciding to kiss her again.

Connor
wanted to, no, he needed to fuck her. That what’s they needed
,
to get rid of the tension between them. Once he’d done that nothing but
compliments would flow from his lips.

Lucky
for him or forward planning on his sister’s part, he had condoms. He pushed
Jennifer backwards until she was flat up against the wall of the elevator.

“Are
we going to do what I think?”

“Fuck,”
said Connor. “Oh yeah, Hope you want to.”

“Oh yeah.
You have
protection?”

“Oh yeah.”

Connor
hitched up her dress, his finger finding the top of her panties in no time. He
tugged them down her legs until they sat on her shoes. She very gracefully
stepped out of them.

“You
wet enough or you want some help?” he asked.

“I’m
wet all right, but a little help wouldn’t be bad either.”

He
smiled, inching his hand under her dress, feeling her curls, wondering if they
were auburn like her hair, and then slipped his finger into them until it met
with some very slick folds. She wasn’t lying when she said she was wet. Her
thighs were damp, her pussy as slippery as one could get. He slid his finger
inside, hearing her groan and moan, and it made his cock beat a steady pulse. She
was tight too. He wondered the last time she’d had sex. Could she even be a
virgin? Jennifer unzipped his pants and playfully bit his lip as he pulled his
finger out of her.

“We
should hurry things along because someone’s going to report that the elevator’s
out of action,” she said.

He
reached into his pocket, got the package, and tore it open.

“What’s
that smell?” asked Jennifer.

“It’s
raspberries. My sister’s store sells fucking fruit flavored condoms. Sorry, but
it’s all I have.”

“My
pussy’s always been partial to raspberries, strawberries too.”

Connor
sheathed himself, the smell of the fruit getting stronger. The smell of her
juices was getting just as strong. He lifted her left leg and as if they’d
fucked like this a hundred times before, he glided his cock easily inside her.

“Hope
you come quickly,” he said.

“Depends
on who’s doing the fucking.”

He
thrust into her, her body sliding up and down against the wall.

“Fuck
me harder, big boy. Work that cock.”

He
liked it when a lady talked dirty to him.

He
obliged, the smell of the raspberries filling the elevator. He’d never be able
to eat one again without thinking of his moment.

“That’s
it, big boy, take me rough and hard.”

They
spun around, causing him to almost slip out of her. Her back hit the opposite
wall. He thrust himself into her again and took her fast and hard. Jennifer
cried out and he was sure the whole hotel had guessed why the elevator wasn’t
working.
Couple fucking inside.

The
thought of what they were doing, people knowing about it made him come. Phew,
climaxing had never felt so damn good. They rested their foreheads against one
another for a few seconds.

Someone
banged on the elevator door.

“We
better get going or they might call the cops.”

“Definitely not good for your campaign.”

“Nope,”
said Connor.

Chapter Seven

Jennifer’s
pussy still tingled when Connor pulled up outside her townhouse.

“It’s
been quite the evening,” he said, walking her to the door.

“It
sure has. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a raspberry in the same way ever
again.”

They
both burst out laughing. “Thank your sister for being so smart and giving you
those.”

“Yeah,
that’s Katy all right.”

“So
I’ll probably see you at the debate.”

“Yeah.”

“Make
sure you don’t put your cowboy boot in your mouth.”

“I’ll
try not to.”

He
didn’t try and kiss her. She didn’t try and kiss him but instead went inside
and waved as he got into his truck.

She
wasn’t fooling herself to think that the fuck in the elevator was going to be
the start of a relationship. Connor wasn’t the settling down sort of guy. She
was realistic enough to know that.

She
flicked on the light and walked toward the bedroom. That had been an off the
charts orgasm. Her first quickie and she liked it. Maybe it was the naughty
aspect of doing it in an elevator.

She
slipped off her dress and looked in the mirror.

Holy
shit, she hadn’t picked up her panties when they got off the elevator.

****

Connor
hadn’t realized he still had Jennifer’s panties in his jacket pocket until the
next day when he was at his parents’ ranch and reached in there to put away his
truck keys. In the heat of the moment, and their hurry to exit the elevator,
he’d spotted them sitting in the corner. He picked them up, stuffed them into
this pocket, and forgotten to return them.

Maybe
he’d send her some of the edible ones from Katy’s store. Maybe he’d be the one
to eat them. He felt a slap on the back and turned to see his father standing
behind him. Connor continued to finger the panties. Maybe he was a sexual
creature because it was in his DNA from Sarah, Jon, and Shaun.

“You
ready to go for a ride?” asked his dad.

“Sure.”

Connor
followed his father into the stables where they quickly saddled up two horses
and were soon riding out to the main pasture.

“You
think you’d be up to running this place and being sheriff,” his dad asked him.

“I
don’t know. I don’t suppose I’ll have to because you’re running it right now.”

“If I couldn’t do it anymore.”

Geez,
was he having an affair? Was he going to run off and leave them high and dry?
The DNA thing again.
The men of this family couldn’t keep it
in their pants.

“I
have something to tell you all. I wasn’t going to, but your mother’s forced my
hand.”

“So
it’s true you are seeing someone else?”

“Don’t
be so ridiculous. I don’t know how this shit started, but I’ve asked your
sister to join us in an hour’s time. We’re going to sit down and the three of
you will listen to what I have to say.” He raised his hand. “And the only woman
involved is my…”

Connor
turned to look at him.

“You’ll
have to wait.”

Now
Connor was intrigued. So it hadn’t all been in his mom’s imagination. Something
was going on with is dad.

“I
hear you took the Nealon girl to dinner last night…yes, your aunt Betty has a
big mouth.
Runs in your mother’s side of the family.”

“Yeah,
we went to Missoula.”

“You
think she’s the sort you’d like to settle down with? Her ancestors are good
ranchers. Not the richest by far, but her great granddaddy had some of the best
cattle around the county.
All good at working with cutting
horses too.”

“Guess
it’s too early to tell.”

He
hadn’t even given that any thought. All he could focus on these days was
becoming sheriff.

“Sheriff
will need a wife. A rancher will need a wife. You better hurry up and get your
shit together, son.”

Connor
knew where he got his open your mouth first think about what you’ve said later,
from.

“I
know you wouldn’t want me to rush into anything, marry someone who I knew
wasn’t right for me.”

“That’s
true. You have to marry with your heart and not your head.”

His
father suddenly leaned over like he’d had the wind knocked out of him. He
almost slipped off his horse but managed to hold onto its reins.

“Dad,
you okay?” Connor slid out of the saddle and rushed over to him, holding him
up.

“Fine, son, just a little indigestion.”

“Are
you sure?”

“Get
back on that horse and let’s continue with our ride. It means a lot to me.
Father and son doing something without the women.”

Connor
knew his father wouldn’t take no for an answer so he got back on the horse and
the two of them rode toward the stream in silence for a few minutes.

“Sure
is beautiful out here, isn’t it?” asked his dad.

“No
place
I’d
rather be,” said Connor.

“Can
I count on you to take over running this place when I’m gone?”

Connor
looked over at his father who had pulled his horse up so it was lined up with
Connor’s and the two men now rode side by side. Were those tears in his
father’s eyes?

“I
will, but you’re going to be around for a long time yet.”

No
response from his dad. Something was definitely up with him.

“Grandkids,
I always wanted another generation of Nolan-
Delaneys
running around this place.”

“Plenty of time for that.”

His
father straightened up his cowboy hat but didn’t respond. Now he was getting
scared. His father wasn’t much of a look isn’t this beautiful and I’d like
grandkids sort of a guy. Things would happen when they were supposed to happen.
That was his philosophy.

“Let’s
start to head back to the house. Your mother’s making her biscuits and gravy,
and you know how I love those things.”

He
pulled on his horse’s reins and was galloping back to the house with Connor
having trouble keeping up with him. He finally saw him in sight when they got
to the stable. His dad was leaned over one of the bales of hay and taking deep
breaths.

“Dad,
something’s wrong,” said Connor putting his arm around him.

“Just
need a little help getting into the house, that’s all. Not as young as I once
was.”

He
wrapped his arm around Connor and the two of them made their way toward the
house where Katy was just pulling up on the driveway.

His
father immediately pulled his arm away from Connor. “Let go of me. I don’t want
your sister to see me like this.” He smiled. “Hey, honey bunny,” he said.

He
hadn’t called her that since Katy had been a pre-teen.

“You
okay, Dad? You look pale,” said Katy.

“Never been better.
Come on let’s
go eat.”

The
three of them walked into the back of the house through the kitchen where his
mother was putting biscuits onto a platter.

“You
guys have timed it just right. You want to wash up? The meal’s ready when you
are.”

“I’ll
be right back,” said Connor’s dad.

Connor
opted to wash his hands in the kitchen sink, eyeing the mouthwatering sausage
patties as he did so. He wondered if Jennifer was a good cook. Why he was
asking himself that question he didn’t quite know. He turned to see Katy and
his mom putting the last of the dishes on the table as his dad headed back out,
white as a sheet.

“Dad,
I think you need to sit down,” said Connor, rushing to get him a chair.

“Ted,
are you okay, honey?” asked his mom.

He
shook his head. “I have something to tell all of you. I was hoping to do it
after we enjoyed a family meal, but I think I need to tell you now because I
can’t eat a thing.”

“Daddy,
what is it?” asked Katy.

“Will
you all just sit and I don’t want anyone overacting or nothing like that.”

Connor
sat and so did his mom and sister.

“Lizzie,
I know you’ve been thinking I’ve been fooling around with another woman and
it’s silly. I have and always will only have eyes for one girl and that’s you.”

“So
where have you been going?” asked his mom.

“I’m
a bit like a wild animal when it’s hurt or injured and don’t want my predators
to know it. I’ve been going for a drive around different places. Montana has to
be the most beautiful place on earth.
Honey bunny, could you
hand your dad a glass of water?”

Katy
passed it over to him and he took two large gulps.

“So
you’re saying you’re hurt and injured?” asked his mom.

“I
guess that’s what you’d call it. I still think they’re wrong. You know I’ve
never trusted doctors…dentists or even vets for that matter.”

Connor
smiled even though he knew something bad was coming.

“What’s
wrong with you, Dad?” asked Katy.

“I
have the big C.”

“Cancer,
no you can’t have,” said his mother, grabbing his dad’s hand.

“Oh
daddy,” said Katy.

“I
still think they’re wrong. Just a little indigestion that’s all, but the doctor
said there’s a tumor in my stomach.”

Connor
bit his lip and reached over to pat his father’s hand. “You’re going to get
treatment for it right?”

His
father nodded. “They say they need to operate on me. You know I’ve never been
in a hospital ever.”

That
was true. His father was born right here on the ranch in the old house that
stood on the property before they tore it down to build the current one.

“But
you have to do it,’ said his mother.

“I
know if not for myself but for you guys. They said I’ll probably need to take
chemo just to make sure there’s nothing lurking around inside me.”

“That’s
a good idea,” said Connor.

“Good
idea, fine thing for you to say. You’re not going to be the one who’s going to
lose your hair.”

“That’s
what cowboy hats are made for,” said Connor.

“I
just wish this wasn’t happening,” said his dad. “And just in case something
happens to me I want to be assured that you’ll take over running this place and
look after your mother and sister.”

“Dad,
I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. I have my own business. I’m
independent.”

“Too independent for my liking.
I’d be happy if
you’d start looking for a man you could settle down with.
You
too, Connor.”

“You
want me to start looking for a man?” asked Connor. He knew what his dad meant,
but he was ready to cry and his insides felt like they were made of Jell-O. Humor
was the only way he could deal with it.

“You
know what I mean,” said his dad. “Even if I get through this shit I’d like to
have a couple of grandkids to bounce on my knee.”

“I
promise you I’ll take over this place, look after Mom and Katy, but not that
it’s going to be necessary. You’re going to come through this with flying
colors.”

“When
do you have to go for your operation?” asked his mother, taking his dad’s hand
again.

“They
have me booked on the twentieth at Pine Creek General.”

“I
think I should drop out of the sheriff’s race,” said Connor.

“You
will do nothing of the sort,” said his dad.

“But
you’re going to need me here.”

“You
will stay in that race and you will win. You hear me, Connor?”

****

Jennifer
sensed that something was wrong with Connor the moment he entered the town hall
meeting room to start the debate. He fidgeted a lot, crossed his legs,
uncrossed them, and then moved the pen on the notepad in front of him back and
forth.

Matt
Patterson was an old hand at this. He’d run for this job and won twice before,
but deep down she knew Connor with his boyish good looks and Montana charm
could win people over. He had nothing to worry about. If only she could tell
him that.

“Good
evening and welcome to the first debate we’ll hold for the County Sheriff
election. The second one will be held at the end of September and the final one
five days before Election Day at Grantsville High School. Gentleman, I’ll start
with my first question for you. Big Sky County’s recently seen some major budget
cuts. How does your vision for running the sheriff’s office fit in with the new
fiscal policy? Sheriff Patterson, you want to go first on this one?”