Restless Spirit (16 page)

Chapter Twenty-nine

I slept on the sofa again. It was becoming a habit. Maybe because I was alone in a fairly large space for the first time in my life. I felt more contained and therefore secure in the main room facing the TV and hiding snuggled down in the high backed sofa.

The sun was bright and it lit the inside of my eyelids so the world was red. Sun or not, I heard the wind before I even opened my eyes.

I needed coffee and I needed it fast. My neck was sore, my feet cold and I had to figure out the heat.

I’d have to ask Adrian.

‘Adrian,’ I sighed, measuring out the dark rich coffee carefully into the basket.

Thanks to Reed, there was food in my fridge and I made myself a slice of toast with some of Cooper’s signature peach preserves. I probably should have eaten more but I didn’t have much of an appetite. My urge to ask Shepherd to come home still haunted me.

It was only early October but the wind blew and I felt some phantom curls of cold air on my arms. The A-frame was old enough to be draughty and if I didn’t want to freeze my ass off tonight, I’d have to figure out the goddamn heat. I had tried simply turning the thermostat on but nothing cut in and no heat came out of the vents.

‘Fucking heat. I guess that’s what a caretaker’s for,’ I growled and went upstairs to get dressed.

I rehearsed what I’d say in my head as I made my way over to the barn. I’d simply say I was startled and I was sorry for yelling and accusing and could he come and teach me how to do whatever I needed to do with the heat so I didn’t asphyxiate myself and die a beautiful corpse. That made me snort and then the wind blew hard and I hustled my ass across the yard.

Pulling open the barn door I poked my head into the dusty, draughty expanse of emptiness. ‘Hello?’ I whispered.

Flashing back to my whispering to Shepherd in his secret underground workshop and how that had turned out, I called out a bit louder. That would not be happening with Adrian, that was for sure.

We’d had our fun when I first showed up, but carrying on with a man like Adrian any more would have been unfair. He’d start expecting something … more. And that was something I didn’t have to give him.
More.

‘Hellooooo?’ I semi-yelled. ‘Adrian?’

I made my way past the empty stalls. Past Shepherd’s snow plough. I repressed the need to go push my hand against the cold metal simply because it was his. Simply because I thought it might somehow be imprinted with his energy.

‘Boy, I’m not 14 or anything, am I?’ I rolled my eyes at my own damn self. ‘Jesus.’

I heard them when I got a bit closer. And I knew I should stop right there and then. Do an about face and leave and come back later in the day. But I didn’t. I pushed my feet forward because I was nosy and brazen and a bit crazy, I think.

His door was cracked. I mean, who was here to see him, anyway? I’d made it clear he should take a hike and my grandmother was gone. Adrian was spread eagle on his double bed while some girl with a shock of honey blonde hair sucked his cock. One arm was tied to a metal ring set in the wall – originally intended for horses not a caretaker.

‘You like that, baby? Do you?’

I wanted to laugh at how ridiculous the whole thing was, but it wasn’t. Not so much. They were raw and energetic and they thought they were hidden.

He muttered something to her, putting his free hand in her hair and guiding her to take him deeper. I couldn’t hear what Adrian was saying but I could hear the tone and it was one of appreciation.

He tugged a hunk of hair and she gasped but followed his lead as he tugged and tugged until she moved. She sidled up to him on her knees, her back still to me, nothing but a pair of almost sheer mesh panties on despite the barn’s chill.

Something told me Adrian and his guest weren’t chilly.

She straddled him, going higher and higher and higher until thanks to his murmured words, she straddled his shoulders and he set his mouth to the front of her panties. His lips latching to the fabric before I lost my view of Adrian’s face and she blotted him out. Her hips undulated and she met his mouth with eager thrusts of her hips. When Adrian tangled the fingers of his free hand into her panties and tried to tug, she laughed, hair tossed back.

It was her profile that gave her away as Tammie at the bank. Irv had sent me over for change the other day and we’d met. Her breasts were small but jutted up with perfect pink tips that stood out in erect arousal. Her stomach was flat and a single beauty mark rode above her hip bone. Tammie ditched the panties and returned to him so he could hold her close with that one bold, strong hand and eat her.

Adrian was good at eating pussy. I remembered as my own sex gave up a rush of juices at seeing them together this way. Better than porn and with the sneaky factor to amp it up, I watched. Knowing I should go, but not quite able to make myself do it.

She came with a long lusty cry, letting her head fall back and making her honeyed hair ripple with the pleasure that slid through her body.

Tammie yanked his open jeans lower on his hips and at his bidding, grabbed a condom from the dresser. She rolled it on and then climbed aboard, taking his free hand and pinning it to the bed frame so he couldn’t touch her.

She rolled her hips and laughed and then leaned in to kiss him and I watched Adrian’s toes curl. I must have kicked the door to his room because they both froze and I stepped back into shadows. She turned her head a bit and called, ‘Hello?’

I hurried out of the barn, laughing at myself. Eager to find my little bullet that Reed had abandoned somewhere in the great room. And maybe take a shower to relive the voyeurism I’d just enjoyed.

‘Pervert,’ I hurried through the wind back to my home. I’d leave him a note later about the heat. Or make more noise the next time I went to ask.

The door was ajar and I froze. Had I done that? Had I neglected to pull it closed? That had to be what had happened.

I poked my head in and looked around. Everything in its place – which meant strewn about the great room. I had to be careful or the main room was going to start resembling a dorm room.

‘It’s my house,’ I said to myself just to hear a voice.

I grabbed the bat from where it rested by the TV, I’d kept it close the night before after my back door visitor. Doing a quick tour of the house, I saw that everything appeared OK. The laundry pile in front of Nan’s storage room looked a bit off, but it was a pile of dirty laundry. How was it supposed to look?

I popped my head in the room and glanced around. Nada.

There was no attic and the basement door was locked from the outside when I checked it. Which meant that only a supernatural visitor could go into a basement and then lock the door behind them.

‘Right. Stop it, you lunatic,’ I muttered.

But I really did need to go to the shelter. I thought I might feel much better with some furry, mega-toothed, protective company.

I had time before my shift at the diner. I decided to take a run and then call Annie. I wanted to check in on the closest person I had to family. I prided myself on not having roots, but feeling uprooted was an entirely different sensation.

Standing in my big, empty and cold house with Shepherd gone, Reed at arm’s length and sweet sexy Adrian out there in the barn fucking a bank teller – I was feeling uprooted.

Maybe I wasn’t as independent as I thought.

‘There she is!’ Irv shouted as I rushed in. The crowd was already starting to gather. Either I’d imagined it or I’d felt a hand sneak up my spine as I made my way through the crowd to the diner door.

‘Here I am,’ I said, pushing the worry away.

There was quite a cluster of out-of-towners out there waiting to be fed. The hand on me had probably been an accident. Or an over eager husband trying to get a handful of stranger.

Odder things had happened to me.

‘When is this apple festival over?’ I laughed tying on my apron.

‘Two more days. But don’t rush it. We make good money while they’re here. And that means a nice Christmas bonus for you.’ He winked.

‘Christmas bonus?’ I snorted. Was he serious?’

‘Yes, ma’am. My servers are family. The apple festival dictates how generous Santa Irv can be.’

I blew him a kiss. ‘I’m starting to see what my grandmother saw in you, Big Irv,’ I said.

He actually blushed.

‘Who says that Virginia and I–’

‘Save it, Irv,’ I said. I gave him a grin and retrieved my spray bottle and rag to wipe down the tables. ‘You can’t fool me.’

He blushed again and turned away. ‘Let’s hustle this along, Tuesday. We have hungry people to feed.’

Again, I thought I saw it. I was really freaking myself out, it seemed. I was seeing fleeting glimpses of lovers past everywhere. Or at least boogety boos. Whatever I was seeing, I was tired of seeing it.

It was Friday and I had Saturday off, Irv had said. I’d get snookered tonight and then hit the apple festival tomorrow.

Irv opened the door and all my plotting flew out the window. I was too busy filling orders and bussing tables and laughing at strange men’s jokes and admiring strange women’s recently purchased from the festival wool sweaters.

When we locked up I realised that Reed had not come in, nor Adrian and that I was relieved about it.

Which made me feel a bit too wound up to sleep.

Chapter Thirty

The phone was ringing.

‘Hello?’ I dropped my purse and my dinner bag at my feet. Tonight Irv had insisted on packing me meatballs, brown gravy, rice, veggies and a piece of apple cake. Made in honour of the festival, dontcha know.

‘Kid!’

‘Annie.’ I grinned. ‘How’s tricks? Any more rats in the house?’

‘No ma’am. But soon there’ll be a baby!’

‘Oh, Rachel had him? Her? It?’ I snorted. ‘Well, not it.’

‘Him. Jacob Samuel Saunders. Quite a mouthful for a little bundle of screams and poops.’

I laughed, shook my head. Annie had two grown children so she knew what she was talking about. I couldn’t help but find amusement in her summary of procreation.

‘When will they be home?’

‘Day after tomorrow. It was hard on Rach so they’re keeping her a little.’

‘I want to send a gift. What does she need?’

‘Everything,’ Annie said. I heard her light a cigarette and she read my mind. ‘Don’t worry. It’s just one. I’m down to two a day, kid. Per our agreement.’

I’d been begging her to quit for quite a while.

‘Good. Now when you say everything …’

‘Diapers, food, diapers, clothes, diapers …’

‘I take it babies need a lot of diapers,’ I teased.

‘Are you kidding? That’s all they do for the first three months – cry, pee and poop.’

‘And yet I can tell by your voice you’re dying for that kid to be in the house and in your clutches.’

She chuckled. ‘Shut up, smarty pants.’

‘Better than being a dumb ass,’ I countered.

‘Very true.’

‘Now, what else is new?’

Annie sighed. ‘Not a damn thing. Fall is here sometimes, the next moment it’s summer again. We’re fluctuating between low 60s and high 90s and it’s driving me ape shit. And before you ask–’

I shut my mouth because I had been about to interrupt.

‘I haven’t seen either of your men.’

‘They’re not my men,’ I corrected.

‘Your former men.’

‘Well, that’s good news,’ I said.

But did that mean the flash of familiar I’d been seeing was a glimpse of a man I’d recently assaulted with a bat? And how good was that for me?

Someone knocked at the door and I jumped. ‘I have to go, Annie. Someone’s knocking.’

‘You being safe out there in the boondocks?’

‘I am. I am. But I am thinking about a dog. I am talking to myself a lot.’

‘Just as long as you don’t answer yourself, kid,’ she said. ‘Love.’

‘Love,’ I answered and hung up.

Adrian stood on the other side of the door. His face unreadable. His hands shoved in his pockets.

I opened the door. ‘Hey, there. I wanted to ask you about the hea–’

‘You dropped something,’ he said, pushing an earring toward me.

I stepped back and he stepped in. Wind rushed in around him and some mail scattered off the side table. ‘Come in,’ I said and shut the door behind him.

‘Did you enjoy the show?’ he asked.

I felt myself blush but there was no denying it. The matching earring was in my ear. I fingered it and cleared my throat. ‘Yeah, about that. Sorry. I came to ask for help for the heat and you were … busy.’

I laughed and I was surprised when he joined me. ‘Did you enjoy the show, Tues?’ he asked again.

Adrian moved fast. He plucked my hardened nipple through my tee and when I made a startled sound he slid the other between my legs. Knifing his hand and putting pressure on my clit through my jeans.

‘Adrian,’ I said.

‘I know. I know. I’m off the menu now but it doesn’t keep me from wanting to touch you. How about a goodbye kiss.’

I rolled my eyes but let him kiss me. His mouth covered mine and the edge of his hand sawed in and out between my legs – almost but not quite getting me off.

‘Now what was it I can help you with?’ he asked, suddenly backing up. He put his hands in the air like he was under arrest and though he had a hard-on that was evident; he made no move toward me again.

‘Very evil, Adrian,’ I said. I shook my head and sighed mightily. ‘The heat won’t cut on. I tried but it just clicks at me.’

‘I have the main switch set to away. I meant to switch that when you came home. I’ll go fix it.’

My body beat with one big pulse from his kiss, his pinch, his touch. My panties were too tight, my pulse too fast and I wondered what the hell I was gaining by denying myself him. But I knew I would continue to do it.

Within moments he was back. ‘Yep. It was off. I changed the setting when Virginia passed and the house was empty,’ he said, shutting the basement door and latching it.

‘To keep the boogie man out?’ I asked.

‘Critters. It looks like something got in down there. I’ll check tomorrow and see if a trap needs to be put down.’

‘Critters? Traps?’ A mild but very real panic flared in my gut.

Adrian grinned and tried to cover it with his hand. ‘Relax, Tuesday. This isn’t the big city. It’s getting cold and animals aren’t stupid. They like warmth and comfort too. But it’s no big deal – you might even say it’s normal around here.’ He winked at me, simultaneously making me feel better and about five years old. ‘I’ll come back and double check tomorrow. But for now, I’ll get out of your hair.’

The heat kicked on and I jumped a bit. The smell of baking dust began to fill the A-frame.

‘Unless, you’d like me to stay …’ he sing-songed, but it was a teasing, friendly tone.

‘Good night, Adrian,’ I said.

He shrugged and kissed me on the cheek. ‘Can’t blame a guy for trying. Oh and …’ He tugged my hair just rough enough to flare my arousal again. ‘Just a reminder – I’m around for you should you change your mind. You know, in the orgasm department.’

‘Thanks, Adrian. I know you’d sacrifice just for me.’

‘You know it,’ he said and stepped out into the wind. ‘Just keep that door locked even if there is a critter down there, you’ll be fine. They don’t have thumbs and all that.’

I locked the door behind him and when the phone rang, I jumped again.

‘This is getting ridiculous.’ I grabbed the phone and feeling stupidly silly I said, ‘Tuesday’s house of horrors.’

‘Do tell,’ Shepherd rumbled and that small spark of arousal in my gut flared into a full blown fire.

‘Hi,’ I said.

‘Hi back. So, Tuesday …What are you wearing?’

‘Hold on.’ I set the phone down, tossed my food in the fridge, shucked my tee and my jeans and walked to the sofa in my striped knee highs, black panties and nude bra. ‘Not much,’ I said honestly.

‘What’s not much?’

I told him and he rumbled appreciatively.

‘And what are you wearing?’ I teased.

‘I am wearing a towel. We just finished a cancer spot for TV, set to run during the holidays and then I hit the gym in the hotel and took a run and then a swim and then a hot shower.’

I imagined him sweaty and then soapy. I imagined his big body with nothing but a small white hotel towel slung around his hips. I imagined water in his hair and in his beard and in the divot of his navel.

‘Stroke your cock,’ I blurted.

‘Ah and here I thought I was calling you to be dirty. And you beat me to the punch.’

‘Do it,’ I said and slid a hand down into my panties. I hadn’t lowered the blinds but felt pretty sure that from where I was lying, sunken into Nan’s comfy flowered sofa, no one – not even Adrian – could see me.

I tweaked my clit with my fingertips and a shuddering sigh escaped me. The thought of him handling his cock brought me down to a whisper when I said ‘Are you? Are you doing it, Shepherd?’

‘Jesus, woman,’ he whispered. I thought I heard the faint whisper of flesh on flesh as he jacked his cock for me. ‘Even long distance you fuck with my head, do you know that?’

‘Are you hard?’ I asked, slipping a finger deep in my cunt. Pushing it hard against the suede marble patch of my G-spot. My clit ground against my palm and a lethargic kind of pleasure seeped into my limbs.

‘I could pound nails with this thing,’ he said.

‘I wish you were pounding me,’ I said.

He groaned again and this time I was sure I heard it. His hand working his erection. In my mind he was there, bare but for some flecks of water. The light bouncing off all the colours in his hair. The silver strands and flecks being the sexiest.

‘Tuesday,’ he laughed. ‘I’m going to pound you until you can’t walk straight when I get back.’

‘Promises, promises,’ Pulling my fingers free, I rubbed the slippery juices on my clit. I was so aroused, so sensitive, so ready to get off, I thought I’d pass out.

‘I do promise.’

‘I wish I was sucking your cock,’ I confessed.

‘Now you’re just fighting dirty,’ he said. The sounds I heard were more hurried, more erratic. More frenzied.

‘No, I mean it.’ My voice was barely there and this time I plunged two fingers into my slick cunt and flexed them right where I needed it most. My clit throbbed with the approaching orgasm. ‘I wish I were sucking your cock. That first slide of a smooth cock, hard and ready against my lower lip always nearly pushes me over. I almost get off just from the feel. And you, Shepherd, have a perfect cock. Big and long and very, very talented.’ I laughed softly.

‘I’m going to come. I am. I swear to fuck. And all I can think about is coming on those black panties you’re wearing and then streaking those last few threads of it through your pretty blonde hair.’

‘I like it in my hair,’ I confessed. ‘I walk around and squeeze it to feel the crunchy texture. If you come in my hair, Shepherd, I’m going to want to walk around with that secret invisible evidence in my hair all day.’

‘Fuck,’ he growled.

‘I’m coming.’ I said it when I heard the vulnerability in his voice. The most perfect sound to me – a man coming undone. A man losing his tiny thread of self control. A man who was now groaning loud, coming with me. Because he’d lost his hold on himself.

Because of me.