Love's Embers (Canon City Series) (13 page)

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “No fair, I wasn’t ready.” She continued to breathe hard.

“Do you want me to stop?” he asked and pulled his pulsing shaft out and pushed back in slowly.

“God no, you feel great.” She put her hand on the back of his neck and lifted up to kiss him.

He held the position and kissed her chin and licked her neck. He pushed up on his arms and looked down at her.

“What? What’s wrong?” she asked.

“The protection. I forgot to get it out,” he whispered.

She looked up at him. “I am on the Pill and I trust that you don’t have any diseases, right?”

“As far as I know.”

“If you pull out of me now Charlie Stone, I’ll be very unhappy with you. I want you right where you are and that’s all I have to say.” He felt her hand move down his side to his butt cheek and pinch. “Except, I do have to say that you feel so good. I can feel you twitch inside me and if you don’t take me now, I’ll...oh...I don’t know. Just don’t leave,” she said and tightened her ankles around his waist.

“Lark, I love you,” he said and started a slow pumping.

“I love you, too. Yes...”

Charlie lost all track of time and didn’t think he’d be able to go so long, but when she pulled him down on top of her it was the final straw. He let out a moan that followed the increased movement of his hips and he came with a blast of lights behind his eyes. Electricity ran up his body into his head and back down into his legs. He put his forehead on the pillow she was on and felt her below him.

****

Lark loved the way it felt to have Charlie on top. It was wonderful to be able to kiss him and watch the expressions on his face change while he made love to her. Thomas had only done it once or twice in the first year of their relationship. He then claimed it was too hard on his back and he couldn’t tease her nipples.

She felt like she’d gone to heaven and didn’t want to move. Charlie pushed up on his arms and moved off of her. Lying on his side, propped up on his elbow he looked down at her and his warm hand rested on her stomach.

“Lou, do you remember the catapult we built?” he asked and ran his hand up to her chest and moved his fingers over nipple.

She signed and smiled. “Of course, I do. That was the day you made Bobbie cry and Gran lectured us for over an hour and then gave us chocolate chip cookies.”

“I was walking Breaker the other day and I noticed the rocks are still stacked in a pile there by the river.”

“Do you want to try and finish it? We never got back to get it done.” She put her hand over his on her breast.

“No, I just think it’s funny that those rocks never got moved. I wonder what happened to that long-branch we lugged out of the forest.”

Lark rolled onto her side to face him and snuggled close. “Ducky, do you want to know a secret?” She said, quietly between breathes and kissed his chin.

He kissed her forehead and held her around the waist. “Yes, ma’am.”

She looked up at him. “That was my first.” She saw his brows come together. “That was my first orgasm with a man and I loved that it was you that helped me experience it.” She kissed his lips lightly.

He pushed himself up on his hand and looked down at her. She felt his hand move up along her side, gently touching her hip, waist and ribs. A finger traced the side of her breast and along her neck. He tucked a couple of stray hairs behind her ear. “Thomas never did that for you?”

“No, he was too busy worrying about his own pleasure. He wasn’t into sharing.”

“Lou, the more you tell me about this guy the less I like him. You mentioned at dinner that you’d cancelled the wedding, do you think he’ll find out?” Charlie kept moving his hand over her body.

“I think he already knows. He left several messages on my voice mail that I erased. I don’t want to hear him right now. He’ll probably be up on Saturday for the dance and I’ll talk to him then or maybe he won’t come up. Who knows and I don’t really care.” She ran her hand up Charlie’s arm.

“I don’t want you to be alone with him. It worries me that he’ll try to hurt you again.”

“We’ll be at the dance together and there will be lots of people around. You can keep an eye on me.”

Charlie frowned. “Why don’t you just call him and get it over with?”

“I don’t want to talk to him now. I want to focus on us this week. I don’t want to waste one single minute on him. Besides going to work, you’ve got my attention completely and after this Thursday, work will settle down and I may not let you get out of bed until after the New Year.” She smiled and kissed his chin.

“What about oral sex?”

“What about it?”

“You said this was your first. Didn’t Thomas ever do the oral thing to give you an orgasm?”

“He liked it when I sucked him off, but he didn’t...he wouldn’t even lick...never mind. It’s too embarrassing.” She looked away from Charlie and wanted to kick herself. She started to choke up and didn’t want to cry. Not tonight. She felt too happy and relaxed. “I put up with a lot from him. I was pretty stupid.”

“No, don’t say that, Lou.”

“When I started going out with Thomas I thought I might as well stay with him. It seemed like I’d never see you again and there wasn’t any chance that we’d ever be together. I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I don’t want to think about him.” Lark felt like such an idiot and tears welled in her eyes. She looked up at him and a single tear ran out of her eye into her hair. “I’m so glad you came home, Ducky. I can’t wait to start experiencing life with you.”

Charlie put his lips on hers and licked along the inside of her mouth. She met his tongue and sucked on his bottom lip. He lifted his head and moved his fingers through her hair.

“About oral sex, I’ve read about it, but I don’t know. It just seems rude to stick my cock in your mouth when it would rather be somewhere else.”

Lark started to laugh and wiped her eyes. “I appreciate your sentiment, more than you’ll ever know. It’s not all that bad, as long as you don’t grab my hair and pump your penis really hard.” She saw his questioning look. “Do you want me to show you?”

“What? Now?” he said and started to sit up.

She pushed herself up and put her hand on his chest. “Just lay back down flat and relax. I’ve never done this the gentle way and I’ve always wished to try it with someone I really cared about.”  When he’d flattened out, she pulled the sheet off his legs and straddled his thighs. “Now just close your eyes and remember to breathe.”

“That’s easier said than done,” he mumbled and looked up at the ceiling. He then looked back at her and didn’t take his eyes off her.

Lark looked down at him and smiled. His penis twitched slightly and she thought he might be ready to play again. She leaned over his stomach and kissed around his belly button. She licked his salty skin and nibbled down until she felt his curly hairs brush her chin. She put her hand around his penis and felt it harden in her grip. He moaned and sucked in a breath as she smoothed her hand up and down his pulsing shaft. She licked her lips and lowered to kiss the tip of his member.

She glanced up and saw he still stared down at her. There was a little curl to his lips which signaled that he enjoyed her movements. She rubbed her breasts on his thigh and went back to kissing around his hips and pelvic area. She backed up just a little and moved his penis around her chin and brushed the head with her lips.

“Oh, Lark...Fuck, this is crazy incredible,” he whispered and his arms reached over his head. He put his palms flat against the wall.

She smiled and let her tongue wonder down to the base of his hard member. She worked her way back to the top, and then took the head into her mouth and tongued it in circles. She saw him watch her again and let the shaft slid into the back of her throat and swallowed. She slowly came back to the head and continued the up and down movement for several minutes. Charlie groaned. She saw his eyes were closed and he pushed against the wall.

She brought her hand between his legs and cupped his testicles, massaging them gently. Charlie arched his back and began to move his hips in a rhythm with her. They moved together slowly for several minutes and Lark thought,
This is the way to do it so it feels good. I could really get used to doing this.

“Lark, babe...” he shouted. “I don’t want to come in your mouth. Not tonight, but you’re killing me.”

She licked up his penis one more time and then got up. She scooted forward and put her opening over the head. She slowly moved down and let the shaft push up into her channel. When he was all the way in, she looked down at him and smiled. “Is this where you want to be?”

“Oh God, yes, I’m in heaven,” he hissed and started to move.

She moved her hips and he reached up and put his hands on her breasts. He pinched her nipples and she arched her back as she moved. She felt him shake and realized he was coming. He exploded into her and she held her position long enough for him to expel every last drop.

When she looked down at him, there was sweat on his chest and forehead. He stared at her with a huge grin on his face. She leaned over and kissed his chest. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her body up so her mouth was closer to his.

He touched her face and hair. “That was amazing. I’m going to want more of that. Oh my Lord, woman you are so hot. I knew I’d missed out on a lot over the years, but, wow! I am so glad I waited for you.”

She lightly kissed his lips. “And you know what?” His eyebrows rose as he continued to breathe hard. “I’ve never done it that way. I never got to be on top with he-who-shall-not-be-named anymore. That was another first for me, too.”

He wrapped his arms around her and sat up. He kissed her shoulder and neck. “I love you so much Lark. Don’t ever leave. Please, be mine forever.”

She hugged him back. “I’m yours, babe. Always and forever.”

Chapter Nineteen

Lark played with the mouse on her desk. She was supposed to be reviewing orders, but found it easier to let her mind wander. Every time she pictured Charlie in her mind, she felt warmth flow into her pelvis and legs. It was only eleven in the morning, but she wanted to go home, find Charlie and undress him. Quickly.

When they woke up this morning, they got out of bed and Charlie pulled her into his shower with him. It was something she’d never done before and loved every minute of it. They splashed hot water at each other and when she kissed him, it was supposed to be a quick smooch. The hot water apparently started his engine and he kissed her back, tongue plunging into her mouth and sucking her lips with abandon. His hand worked its way between her thighs and he slid a finger in and out of her channel while his thumb lightly teased her nub.

The next thing she knew, he’d wrapped her legs around his waist, pushed her against the wall under the shower head and slammed his hard, pulsing shaft inside her tender walls. The hot water flowing down on them increased the heat between them and they’d orgasmed at the same time; Charlie groaned loudly and she huffed out breath after breath and tried to keep from screaming.

He let her down gently and grabbed a bar of soap off the holder. She thought he was going to clean himself, but he instead started to move the soap around her breasts and pelvis. His hands were so tender. He then opened a bottle of shampoo and lathered her hair. He kissed her neck and chest, lightly flicking her nipples with his tongue as bubbles ran down her chest. His fingers then went back to her channel and he tormented her for several minutes. It thrilled her, and he made her come again and it was all she could do to continue to stand upright.

She then did the same to him, lathering his hair and soaping up his body. Her mouth moved over his penis causing it to harden again. Using her lips, tongue and hand she tormented him in the same way he’d done to her. When he braced his arms against the side of the shower she squatted in front of him and let his penis slide into the back of her throat. She grabbed onto his buns and held him in as long as she could and then slid down, tonguing the tender part of his pulsing shaft. When she let him push in again, he roared and warm jets of semen poured into her throat and she swallowed, taking him all the way into her body. She almost started to cry when she realized this was the first time she wanted Charlie or anyone to be a part of her inside and out. Now she knew what he tasted like and how he smelled and she thought she would have to hurt someone if this turned out to be a dream.

When she looked up at him, Charlie breathed hard, but managed a smile. It was then they both realized the water had turned lukewarm and headed for cold. They rinsed the soap off and laughed.

Lark borrowed a towel to wrap her hair. She’d have to dry it at home since Charlie didn’t have a dryer. They dressed and then walked hand in hand through the back door of her house and saw Gran at the kitchen table.

“Good morning, kids. Did you have a good evening?” She smiled. “Let me guess, you talked until late and fell asleep?”

For a second they both looked like they’d been caught stealing cookies. Lark looked up at Charlie and grinned. “Gran, we’re a couple now.” She walked to her grandmother and kissed her cheek. “I’ve got to dry my hair and change for work. I’ll be right back.”

She raced up the stairs to her room, changed her clothes and got her hair dry. She put on make-up and smiled at herself in the mirror. She felt a little bad deserting him, but knew he could handle Gran.

Lark sat at her desk in her office and smiled. She moved her tender nether region on the seat of her chair and sighed. She knew if she kept thinking about this morning she’d never get any work done. She was so happy that Gran felt tickled that they’d found each other again.

She looked at her computer screen, tried to focus and continued to play with the mouse. More orders were coming in and she wanted to be able to keep up with them.

****

Charlie felt slightly uncomfortable for a minute when Lark went upstairs, but when Gran came over and gave him a hug, he started to relax.

“Do you want some coffee?” she asked.

“Yes, please.”

“You go ahead and sit. When Lark comes back down, I’ll fix you both some breakfast.” She poured a cup for him and put it at a place at the table. “Charlie, I only want to say one thing.”

He felt a knot form quickly in his stomach and became nervous. “Okay.”

Gran smiled. “Welcome back to the family. I’m so glad you came home. It’s good to see Lark smile again.”

He let out a breath and smiled. He felt his throat tighten and almost started to cry. “Gran, would you hate it very much if I became your grandson-in-law?”

She turned around from the stove and took a step forward. “Did you...?”

“No, no. Not yet, but I’m thinking about it. I’ve got to get over to Pueblo and sell that truck. I don’t want to break into my college savings, but I want Lark to have the most beautiful engagement ring I can find. I’ve got to do it this week.”

“Why this week?”

“I can’t keep asking you and Lark to drive me around everywhere and I want to ask her before Christmas. It just seems important.”

****

When Lark came back downstairs, she found Gran hugging Charlie and she was sniffling.

“Oh God, what happened?” she asked from the doorway. Gran looked up and patted Charlie on the back. He smiled at Lark and she could see tears in his eyes. “What?”

“Oh nothing, sweetheart. I’ll get breakfast started,” Gran said, and moved back to the stove. She poured eggs into the pan and started to scramble them.

Lark saw Gran turn to look at Charlie and gave him a wink. She shook her head and went to the cupboard to get a cup. After pouring some coffee, she went to the table and sat next to him.

She saw Gran continue to look over her shoulder at them and Lark became a little uncomfortable.

“What is going on?” she finally asked.

“I’m really glad you two found your way back to each other. You know, I think it was meant to be. I read a book once about this couple and they were destined to be together. I think that’s you two completely.” Gran sniffed again and continued to scramble the eggs.

Lark felt her own throat tighten and stood. She walked over to her grandmother and they gave each other a hug.

Charlie put his chin in his hand. “My two favorite ladies hugging. How hot is that?”

“Charlie Stone, are you saying you’d be interested in a threesome?” Gran asked and laughed. He sat up straight in his chair.

“Grandmother!” Lark stepped back, truly shocked. She looked at Charlie, whose eyes were huge and his mouth hung open.

“I’m not as square as you think, Larkspur. I’ve read some really racy stuff in my time and remember, I was in my twenties during the 1960s. I know all about free love, peace, granola and all that.” She patted Lark’s hand and went back to her cooking.

“But you’re my grandmother,” Lark said.

“How on earth do you think your dad got here and you for that matter?”

“Gran, we don’t want to go there. Not ever. That would be too much information and I don’t know if I have a nervous system that would understand.” Lark went back to the table and sat down.

“Larkspur, my darling girl, you’ve got a lot to learn and over time you’ll learn it. Now stop being such a prude,” Gran said and spooned the eggs onto their plates. She carried them to the table and got toast out of the oven.

“Gran, I am not a prude. It’s just too early in the morning for this type of conversation.”

After breakfast, Charlie walked her to the Bronco and gave her the sweetest kiss she’d ever experienced. She asked where he’d learned how to kiss so great. He smiled at her and said it was on a late summer day thirteen years ago, on a picnic, with the most beautiful girl he’d ever met. She gave him a kiss back, called him an old romantic again, and left for the warehouse.

Her serene moment at her desk was interrupted by a knock on the door. When she looked up Alicia stood in the doorway.

“Ah, are you here, Lark?” Alicia continued to look at her. “I buzzed you. Thomas is on line three and he’s insisted he’ll hold until you’re ready to talk to him,” she said and backed out of the office.

Lark stared at the blinking phone line. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to him. It was a good mood wrecker.
Just get it over with Lark
, she thought. She hit the button and lifted the receiver.

“Yes, Thomas.”

“Why the hell haven’t you returned my calls?” his voice snarled at her.

“Well, number one, I’ve been busy with work. You know, ‘tis the season and all. Number two, I have nothing to say to you except that our wedding isn’t going to happen and you can fuck off.”

“Yeah, I’ve been very embarrassed getting calls from my friends, who want to know what happened. I felt like an idiot.”

“Too bad for you. What do you want?” She tried to sound as uninterested as possible.

“I want to discuss your rash decision.”

“There is nothing to talk about, Thomas. You hit me, again, and I’ve learned to respect myself enough not to put up with your crap anymore. I tried to be honest with you about events earlier in the day and that was that.” She wound the telephone cord around her finger and wanted to pull it out of the wall.

“Oh Lord, you are over-reacting, as usual. I didn’t hit you that hard.” He sounded incredulous.

“I have bruises on my wrist, face and chest that prove it wasn’t a love tap. Speaking of...” There was a knock on the door and Nancy looked in.

“Ryan’s here,” Nancy said, quietly.

“Look, there’s nothing to discuss, Thomas...”

He cut her off. “I’m still coming on Saturday and we
will
talk. We’ll have to miss the dance, but I think you owe it to me to tell me to my face what your problem is,” he ordered.

“Whatever,” she said and hung up. She looked up at Nancy and shook her head.

Lark followed her partner to another office. She felt very angry at Thomas and didn’t want to see him again ever. They stopped outside the door.
“Are you okay?” Nancy asked.

“I’m not one hundred percent, but I will be.”

They walked into the office where their lawyer Ryan Barton sat with a cup of coffee in one hand. He stood up and shook hands and they all sat down at a conference table.

“So, to get down to brass tacks, it would seem that Canon City Savings and Loan, for some unknown reason, has decided to sell off a bunch of business loans. They’ve spoken to National up in Denver. My connection here said it looks like someone is trying to buy out the loan.”

“Someone other than National?” Lark asked.

Ryan nodded. “Yeah, and I haven’t found out who the buyer is, yet.”

Nancy sat back in her chair. “Why would someone want to buy the loan? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Can either of you think of a competitor who would be interested in buying you out or closing the doors?” Ryan looked at them.

Lark and Nancy exchanged looks. “There was that group back in New York that made an offer two years ago, but nothing serious,” Nancy said.

“They were pushy, but gave up when we wouldn’t budge on our counteroffer. Three billion wasn’t in their ballpark.” Lark laughed.

“I have a meeting this afternoon with Zack Strom over at the savings and loan. There’s a clause in the contract that says they need to give warning sixty days in advance before they start selling off loans. It’s to give business owners the opportunity to pay off the loan. Since they haven’t done that, we could take them to court to stop the process completely,” Ryan said.

“I’ve left several messages on Mike Strom’s personal phone. He’s on vacation until after the first. I know he’s retiring, but I don’t think he’d want this. He said to me once he wants to keep local businesses alive and functioning. I think maybe he’s not aware of what his son is trying to pull.”

“How’d you get his personal phone number?” Ryan asked.

“He’s listed in the Methodist Church directory. I have big connections,” Lark said.

They all laughed, talked over some other matters and then Ryan left. He said he’d call them after he spoke to Zack Strom.

Nancy frowned. “How come I feel like there’s something else going on here?”

Lark looked at her friend. “Paranoid?”

“I don’t know, maybe. Ever since we were in Denver last week something’s been nagging at me, but I can’t quite figure it out.”

“We’ll be okay. See, I’m staying positive.” Lark smiled.

Nancy looked at her closely. “You’re too cheerful. Did you have good sex last night?”

Lark stood up and smiled. “No comment.” She walked to the door, but before she opened it, she looked at Nancy over her shoulder and grinned. “It wasn’t just good; it was great, cha, cha, cha.”

Nancy laughed. “It’s good to know someone is getting great sex. You know I’ll want details eventually.” She walked up to Lark and hooked her arm. “You never acted this way with Thomas. I’m glad you’re not going to marry him.”

“Me, too.”