Sky Cowboy (13 page)

“Okay, let’s get these bags inside.  I’m beat.” I announce.

“C’mon, bud, grab your bag.” Jeremy helps Oscar as I grab my bags and make my way inside. 

The wor
st thing about going on holiday is the packing and the
un
packing…and the loads of washing that you have to do when you get home.
Yuck.
  I’ll think about that tomorrow, though.

I dump my bags in Jeremy’s room and face plant
on his bed.  I lie there with my eyes shut, listening to the murmur of Jeremy’s and Oscar’s voices in the lounge room.  Jeremy must be putting on a DVD for him.  I’m just starting to doze off when I feel his presence hit the room.  Starting at my ankle, his hand moves up my body, as he lays down beside me.  Rubbing small circles on my lower back, he tenderly kisses my shoulder.

“You want a massage?”

I keep my eyes closed by raise my brows.  “You know
how
to massage?” I ask, mocking incredulously.

“Smart ass.”

He straddles my back, sitting his ass just below my own, on the back of my thighs.  Then he begins kneading, rubbing and rolling the muscles in my back.  It feels like heaven.  I relax into the bed and concentrate on enjoying the relaxation he’s providing.  It doesn’t take long for me to fall fast asleep.  I’m not sure how long he continues for after I’ve dozed off, but something tells me he wouldn’t have stopped in a hurry.

The next morning, I wake early and decide to make the boys pancakes for breakfast.  I’m slicing the strawberries for the mixed fruit topping, when Oscar comes bounding out his room.

“Mummy-Ava!  Good morning. Are you making pancakes for Oscar?  Oscar loves pancakes.  Daddy loves pancakes too.”

“Morning, buddy.  Pancakes are ready.  You want to go wake your dad up and tell him?”  I ask, ruffling his hair.

“
Dad!
 
Dad!
  Pancakes.  Mummy-Ava made pancakes,” he shouts at the top of his lungs.

Moments later, Jeremy stumbles into the kitchen.  His hair is messed from sleep and he’s only wearing a pair of
black satin boxer shorts that have a pair of giant red lips over the crotch area.  I roll my eyes at him and he smirks back.

“Morning, honey.”   His voice is scratchy from sleep.  I wrap my arms around his waist and kiss the corner of his mouth before whispering, “Morning,” back to him.

“You want pancakes, babe?”

A soft look fills his face as he gives me an indulgent smile.  “Yeah.” 

I walk over and fill a mug of coffee before handing it to him.  “Sit down boys.” I command.

“Better do what mummy says,” Jeremy winks to Oscar.  My heart swells.  I love them both so much.

“Oscar is going to school today,” Oscar announces.

“Aren’t you too tired for school today?  You’ve had a big week sweetie.”  I say as I swallow my last mouthful of fluffy pancake and tangy berries.

“No. Oscar is going to school.”

“Okay, mate, you can go if you want to but you better finish up and get dressed.”  Jeremy tells him.

“Can you take him to school, honey?  I’ve got to head out and check a few things in the chopper.  Been away too long.  I know the boys can handle it but I want to make sure everything is still running smoothly.  What are you doing today?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.  I have to drop into the Coffee H
ouse anyways and see how mum’s doing with Celeste.  Then I want to drop by home and check my animals.  Oh, and I also wanted to swing by Jackson and Edie’s.”

“When you get back from your parent’s place, we need to talk.  After that, we’ll both go over to Jack’s place and tell them the good news.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask nervously. 
What do we need to talk about?
I rack my brain trying to think of what it could be.  I thought everything that happened before Paris was over with. 
Oh god, what if he’s had a change of heart…What if he doesn’t want to marry me.  No, that couldn’t be it.  He said we’d go to Jack’s and share the good news.

“Stop fretting, Ava.  It’s nothing bad.  We’ll talk when I come home from lunch, okay.  Don’t stress you pretty little head.  Don’t want
ya getting’ premature wrinkles before the wedding,” he laughs.

“Ass,” I snap as I slap him across the shoulder.

He laughs and smacks my ass as I stand to clear the dishes away. Then he kisses both Oscar and me goodbye as he heads off to work.  I quickly clean up the breakfast mess and then get dressed to take Oscar to school.

“Hey mum.”  I spot my mother over by the milk
frother on the coffee machine. 

“Ava,” she throws her hands up and comes to
ward me. “I missed you.  How is the little boy’s family holding up?  Such a terrible tragedy.  No parent should feel the loss of a child.”  She shakes her head.

“They’re doing okay, I guess, considering the circumstances.  They were happy to see me though, especially
Mathilde.  She’s grown so much in the last few years – I could hardly believe my eyes.”

“I’m glad you’re back safely.  And with some new bling,” she gestures with her eyes to my hand.

I give her a sheepish smile.  “Yes.”

“I couldn’t be happier, sweetheart. 
Congratulations.  When your father told me he’d met with Jeremy, I knew straight away what they’d discussed.”

“Thanks mum.  I was pretty surprised,” I laugh.

“Come sit while it’s quiet.  You want a coffee?”

“Please.  How’s Celeste going?  Is she getting the hang of things?”

“Oh yes, she’s fantastic.  She’s been on time every time she’s worked and she’s quick to learn as well, which is great.”

“Good.  I thought she’d fit right in.” I pause for a minute and then continue.  “Mum?”

“Yes,”

“About my fight with Kennedy -
I really am sorry.  I shouldn’t have snapped the way I did, but a person can only take so much.”

“I understand, Ava,” she sighs.  “I’ve been thinking a lot over the last week or so, and I’ve seen things in a new light – things I was too blind
to see before.  I’ve also had a stern talk with Kennedy and I hope she’ll be the sister she should have always been to you, from now on.”

“Right,” I give mum a tight smile.  At least she’s trying.

I finish my coffee and say my goodbyes.  I decide to pull into the pub on my way past and get some wine for Edie and I, and some beer for the boys.  I slide my left hand into my jean pocket at the same time as I slide my ass onto the bar stool.  It’s not that I don’t want anyone to know, it’s just that I want to tell family first.

“Hey, Dory.”  I smile and wave across the bar at Doreen.

“Ava, love, when did you get back?”

“Just yesterday,” I yawn.  “Sorry,” I say, waving my hand in front of my face, “Jetlag.”

“Ah,” she agrees like she knows exactly what jetlag is like, when in reality she’s never even been inside an airport, let alone flown around the world.  “Skip.  Get over ‘ere,” she shouts over her shoulder.

“Hey, Skip,” I smile.

“G’day Ava.  How was your trip?”

“Long, emotional and tiring.”

“Whelp, show us your left hand girlie,” Doreen announces.

“What?” I ask, puzzled.

“Your left hand.  Show us.  It’s been stuffed in your pocket since you walked in the door and we got bets going.”  She answers matter-of-factly.

“Bets?”

“It’s gets boring around here, Ava.  You should know that.  You took off to Paris, we had bets going that Jeremy would follow you.  When he took off to Paris the very next day, we started a wager that you two would either come back engaged or married.  I bet on engaged.  Didn’t think you’d want to get married without your folks there.  So, I want to know if I’ve won or not.”

My head spins.  Of course they’d have bets on this sort of shit.  She’s right, it does get boring around here, so I can understand the need for some entertainment, but I’d prefer to not
be
that entertainment.

“
Ava
,” Doreen snaps when I don’t reply to her explanation.  “Show us your left hand.”

I contemplate trying to slide the ring o
ff my hand while my fingers are still hidden behind the denim of my pocket, but I don’t think I’ll be able to do it fast enough.  Instead, I place my hand on the bar for them both to see.

Dory whoops that she won.  Skip reminds her that it was a kitty and almost everyone bet that we’d be engaged, so all she’d really be winning was her money back.  She scrunches her nose up at him in reply and then they both congratulate me.

I pay for the wine and beer and then stand to leave.

“Not a word to anyone you two.  Not until we’ve told the rest of the family,” I warn.

Dory makes a display of running her hand across her tightly closed lips and then twitching her wrist at the corner of her mouth before throwing away the imaginary key.  I shake my head at them both and walk out to my car.

After a quick stop to check on my horse, I arrive back at Jeremy’s.
  I notice his work Ute parked out front so I know he’s home.  Unless, of course, he’s taken one of the motorbikes, but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t.

“’Bout time,” he remarks as I walk through the door carrying the drinks.

“Huh,” I puff.  He walks over and relieves me of the alcohol.

“Oscar’s at school and I thought I’d come home for a lunch time quickie before we went to Jack’s.  But you weren’t here,” he grumbles.

“Oh, poor baby,” I pout.  “Oscar is still at school for a few more hours, and I thought we’d wait to go over to Edie’s when he got home.  That’s why I brought the beer and wine – we could have a few celebratory drinks and maybe a barbeque.  We could have it here, but I think Edie will be more comfortable at her place, where she has all she needs for little Olive.”

“Good idea.  I’ll text Jack, tell him Barbie at his place.  He can light one of those piles of sticks
near the house yard and we’ll have a bonfire.”  He takes out his phone and fires off a text.

“Hmm,” I hum.  “Is it hot in here, or just me,” I ask innocently as I start to unbutton my shirt.  I fan my face with my other hand, and let me shirt fall open.

“Ava,” he rasps.

I look down at his prominent arousal.  It’s bulging against his jeans, and it must be uncomfortable.
  He adjusts himself and I decide to have a bit of fun with him.  I take my hand a run it lazily between my breasts.  Up and down, I stroke, while giving him my best
you know you want me big boy
look and sucking on my index finger.

“Fuck,” he groans as I lower my hand, down over my belly button and into the top of my jeans. “You’re killing me, woman.”

I shake my head at him and try to take off my belt as sexily as I can.  Now, I’m no porn star or exotic dancer, but do you have any idea how hard it is to try and take a leather belt out of the loops of a pair of denim jeans while trying to look
sexy
? No?  Well, let me tell you, it’s bloody hard.  I try to do it smoothly, but it gets stuck, so I give it a yank and it comes flying out, almost slapping Jeremy across the face.

Shit.
  Way to seduce a guy, Ava!

I tramp down the giggle that is trying to force its way up my throat, and concentrate on unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans.  Then I let them fall to the floor and I step out of them
.  I’m left wearing my black lace high cut panties, my matching bra and my unbuttoned pale green RM Williams shirt.  His eyes are trained on my hand as my fingers trace the lacy fabric of my panties, just at the top of my vagina.

Slowly, I move my hand up my stomach and, gripping the sides of my shirt, I roll it off my shoulders and let it fall to the fall.  My nipples immediately pucker when I hear his sharp intake of breath.  Reaching behind my back, I unclasp my bra and let the straps fall down to my elbows.  I bend them slightly to keep the girls still hidden, though.

“Jesus, Ava.  You wanna kill me?” Jeremy moans as he adjusts his crotch again.

I give him the sexi
est smile I can muster and drop my arms, letting my bra slide to the floor.  Then, I turn around, and without bending my knees, I reach down to grasp my ankles, giving him a full view of my lace clad backside.  I hear Jeremy growl behind me and before I can make my way to a standing position, his hands are on my hips.  I shriek in surprise and then moan softly as he licks across my back from one shoulder blade to the other.  His unshaven face adds to the sensations and causes a shiver to run through my body.

“Baby,” I gasp as his fingers tweak my nipple.

“Walk over to the lounge, Ava,” he commands in a husky voice.  Instantly, I feel my panties dampen.  Still, I do as I’m told and walk to the lounge. 

“Bend over and brace yourself on the arm.”  He points to the side of the lounge and I immediately comply.
  His rough, calloused hands rubs small circles on my back before moving down to stroke the bottom of my ass, left exposed from the cut of my panties.  It tickles a little but it feels so good.  My knees wobble and I fear they’ll give out if he doesn’t stop.  He slides an arm around my waist to steady me as he continues his slow, delicious torture of exploration. Finally he tugs my panties down and they bunch at my feet.  I quickly step out of them and kick them to the side.  Instinctively, my legs move to a widened position and Jeremy moves to stand between them.