Bourbon & Branch Water Read online

  He looked a little puzzled, his dark brown brows drifting down as his smile faltered. “You’re not like what?”

  “Like this.” She flapped the sheet a little, taking care to be as modest as possible. “I mean, I don’t go to…to bed with strangers like this. I don’t know what got into me.”

  He grinned. “I’d say I got into you. If you know what I mean.”

  Could your toes blush? She had to get out of there. He looked so hot in bed like that, his chest broad and tanned, a little curly brown hair scattered around and arrowing down into his pajama bottoms. Unwelcome stirrings of interest started up in Stormy’s middle again. She tamped it down mentally. Lust was her enemy. She would not fall prey to it again.

  But, damn, he was hot.

  Maybe she could kind of do it one more time. She’d already succumbed. Was there any real harm in one more steamy encounter in that great big bed?

  As if reading her mind, Jeff patted the place beside him on the bed. “Come over here, babe. You look cold. I’ll warm you up.” He smiled and Stormy’s insides flipped over. “I promise.”

  “Well…” one more for the road then she’d grab a cab on the strip and get the hell out of there. It would be a secret memory to think about later. Having a fling was okay, her friends did it all the time. Certainly her best friend Tanya would never pass up this opportunity. Stormy tried to console herself with that notion.

  He patted the bed again, “you’re being awfully shy, hon, and I’m beginning to feel rejected.”

  “I’m sorry; I don’t mean it that way.” She took two steps toward the bed before pausing again. “I can’t stay here all day with you. I mean, I have weekend things I need to do…laundry…grocery shopping. Stuff…” Her voice became a whisper as he reached for the drawstring on his pajamas.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Jeff slid his hand over the growing bulge in his pants. “You look so sexy there.”

  Two more steps toward the bed. She was halfway there. “Thank you, you’re sexy, too.”

  He touched himself again. “Show me.”

  Stormy slowly approached the bed, climbing onto it awkwardly, holding her sheet tight around her.

  Jeff touched the hands she’d fisted in the sheet above her breasts. “You’re really tempting in that sheet, but don’t you think it’ll get in the way?”

  Stormy’s gaze was drawn toward the tented spot in his pants and moisture built up between her legs. He was so sexy. If only she’d known him a little longer. She recalled that they had things in common and he made her laugh last night. That was one of the most appealing things about him, his sense of humor. He had boyish charm and a bright mind. Of course right now she was interested in other things about Jeff Hand.

  He must have seen her staring at his crotch. He lowered the front of his pajamas and his cock sprang free, hard and gorgeous. Stormy’s clit began to pulse and her mouth got moist as if she was hungry and saw a hot, juicy steak.

  Slowly, she allowed the sheet to loosen and it dropped to the side. Her gaze went back to his hazel eyes and she licked her lips. That small gesture must have turned him on because out of the corner of her eye, she saw his cock twitch, and he began to smile that seductive smile she remembered from the night before.

  He reached out and cupped her face in his big hand, stroking her cheek tenderly. “Stormy…”

  Naked as the day she was born, she crawled over to him and laid her hand on his chest. His pecs were so hard. Stormy glided her hand down his body, over his tight, defined abs hesitantly. Was this the right thing to do? Probably not. Was she going to do it anyway?

  Well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

  Damn, he was sexy. Her mouth was watering and her pussy was seeping, and resistance was futile. She leaned over him and pressed a kiss on one of his hard nipples as her own stiffened in response. Jeff smelled like a forest, all earthy and green. He touched her ear, moved his fingers through her hair, encouraging her without being pushy.

  Stormy didn’t need much encouragement. She kissed his hard body, tonguing his skin as she worked her way down to his rock hard prick. Jeff tasted like warm, sweet, cream. She pressed her face in the juncture of his thigh and his loins, breathing in the man-smell of him. His rod was smooth against her cheek as she raised her head and looked up at his face.

  Jeff was leaning back, his head resting on the headboard, his eyes closed, savoring the moment. His hand was still in her hair, massaging the back of her neck.

  As she paused, his eyes opened and he gave her a gentle smile. “I washed up,” he told her. “I won’t taste like condoms.”

  Stormy groaned and gave up her hesitation. He was irresistible, and she didn’t want to try to resist anymore. She licked the head of his cock, and he was right, he didn’t taste like condoms. He tasted like…well, like Jeff. Nothing else could compare.

  Traveling her tongue down his length and back up again, she heard him sigh with pleasure. “That feels so good, babe.”

  Encouraged, she licked him up and down and finally took him into her mouth sucking gently. His length slid over her tongue and into her throat a bit and she took a big breath through her nose before she started fellating him in earnest. After a few minutes of tonguing and sucking, Stormy was really getting into it, and he moaned, tugging on her hair. “Come up here, Stormy. I want to fuck you.”

  The crude word turned her on even more. No one had ever talked to her like that, like she was a sexual person who had urges to satisfy. Without saying a word, she let his dick slide out of her mouth and kissed her way back up his body until he led her to his face.

  They kissed, gently at first then more forceful. Stormy loved his passion and returned the kiss with passion of her own. He rolled her over on her back and kissed her deeply. She wrapped her legs around his waist like it was the most natural thing to do at the time. And maybe it was. His pajamas were around his knees, but neither of them cared as he reached under a pillow and came back with a foil-wrapped condom. It took him less than thirty seconds to open the packet and slide the clear latex on himself. Finally, he sank into her, his cock fitting into her wet channel like it had found a home.

  “God but you feel good,” he said on a soft groan.

  “More.”

  “Yeah, I want more, too.” He rose on his arms and began to pump his hips, stroking her shallow and deep. The pressure inside her was incredible, ribbons were curling in her belly and her clit was throbbing in time with her heart.

  She cupped his face, suspended above her, and he tilted his head into her hand, his stubbled cheek rasping against her palm.

  The pace picked up and Stormy’s excitement began to reach a fever pitch. A slight sheen formed on Jeff’s chest and shoulders and Stormy was incredibly turned on by the wet sounds of their bodies where they joined. She stroked his back, feeling the muscles ripple, and arched up against his pelvis. He curled over and took one of her nipples in his mouth, sucking and nipping while she moaned and writhed beneath him.

  They were breathing fast, ever faster, panting together as their exertions increased.

  Finally, Stormy breathed his name and cried out softly as her body pulsed with a mind-shattering orgasm. But he didn’t let her come down from her high. Jeff continued fucking her while she arched and squeezed him with her knees.

  “Oh God,” she moaned. “I’m going to come again.”

  “Okay, babe, let go. I want to feel it.”

  Sex words again. The rational part of Stormy’s mind, barely heard above the screaming of her libido, noted how deeply well-chosen words could affect her. It was the stuff of future fantasies beyond Jeff, for this time with him was going to end soon. Stormy pushed that idea away and let the feelings overwhelm her again, but this time his groan mingled with her cries as they both reached their peak together.

  Panting, he slowed until he was motionless inside her except for the pulsing of his cock as he came. Stormy gripped him tighter and reveled in the idea that she could have this gorgeous,
sexy guy between her legs and make him lose himself in the moment.

  He lowered himself to rest on his elbows, poised against her gently, smiled, his hands stroking her hair. “I think we’re getting better at this. What do you think?”

  She giggled. “Maybe practice really does make perfect.”

  Jeff kissed her lightly. “We’ll have to put some effort into it next time,” he joked.

  Laughing, she ran her hands up his thick biceps and stroked his face. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, miss we aim to please.”

  Gravity returned and settled into Stormy’s bones. Jeff was a temporary madness for her. And it was time to go. He couldn’t possibly want her to stick around. She was quickly wearing out her welcome. She kissed him lightly, pressing her hands against his chest gently. “I ought to go,” she whispered.

  His cock slid out of her as he moved against her, “already?”

  She nodded, “yeah. I should.”

  Jeff rolled to her side and drew her against him, “I wish you’d stay for a while longer.”

  “I’ve already stayed too long. I don’t belong here. This isn’t me. I don’t do one night stands.”

  He tensed beneath her cheek. “Okay,” he said, pulling his arms away from her. “Let me help you find your clothes.”

  Chapter 2

  Jeff parked on the gravel drive in front of the well-kept ranch house. It was butter yellow with white trim, flowers and shrubs all around as well as in the grassy yard. This was obviously a prosperous ranch, which explained how they could afford his services. He didn’t come cheap.

  As he approached the screened, open front door, he heard slapping sounds and a crying woman within. Immediately, his senses heightened. The woman was mewling and sobbing pitifully. Maybe an intruder had her. Maybe someone had come to this ranch to rob them, and now had the family captive. There was a garage, but no other vehicle on the drive but Jeff’s.

  More slapping and crying. Well, he couldn’t just stand there at the door when someone was being abused!

  “Hey!” he called, opening the screen. “That’s enough!” The interior was dim in the homey room, but Jeff’s eyes adjusted quickly, unfortunately.

  Sitting on the couch was Mr. Randolph, his wife draped over his lap, bawling her eyes out. Randolph was swatting her bare behind vigorously, but it came to an abrupt halt when Jeff stumbled in.

  “Oh!” Jeff felt his face heat. How embarrassing for everyone. “I…uh…I thought something was wrong.” But maybe Mrs. Randolph wasn’t going along with this. Maybe the husband was abusing the wife. Every couple had their own way of dealing with disagreements. Jeff wouldn’t involve himself unless Leland Randolph was abusive. “Mrs. Randolph? Is this…I mean…are you okay?”

  She sniffled, raising her head to look at him. Her eyes were wet and red-rimmed, her face pink, but she answered. “I’m okay. I-I-I’m really okay. Leland? Maybe we should stop.”

  Leland, who was frowning mightily at Jeff, pulled his hand back from where it had been poised over Nan Randolph’s behind. “Don’t let me catch you gossiping again, Nan. You know it’s bad behavior.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He let her up and she pulled up her jeans and stepped away to grab a tissue and wipe her nose. She gave Jeff a watery smile. “I’m really okay, Mr. Hand.”

  Leland rose from the couch, a middle-aged man with a powerful physique and ham-sized hands. Jeff wasn’t too keen on the idea that Leland might take a swing at him for barging in on a family matter, but if he did, Jeff could defend himself.

  “You sure know how to make an entrance, Hand,” Leland said. His frown was clearing.

  Jeff held out his hand for a shake, giving the older man an embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Randolph. I thought something was wrong. I apologize for coming in uninvited.”

  “Well,” Leland said, as he shook Jeff’s hand. “We were expecting you. I lost track of the time. Nan has a way of distracting me.” His wife grinned and flushed. “She only wraps me around her finger most of the time, not all of it.”

  She giggled, “oh, Lee.”

  Leland released Jeff’s hand and smiled. “Well, now you know about us. I’d appreciate it if this didn’t get all over Fire Gorge.” He gestured to a sway-backed upholstered chair across from the couch.

  Jeff sat as he responded. “I rarely have business in Fire Gorge, Mr. Randolph, but in any case, I would keep your confidence. I guess we can call this privileged information.”

  “Right.”

  “I’ll make some coffee.” Once again, Nan smiled a reassuring smile at Jeff, but her eyes lingered on her husband with clear affection. “Or would you fellas rather have lemonade?”

  The sun was hot outside, and Jeff wanted something cool after the heat of his gaffe had warmed his face. He’d never seen a man spanking his wife as a punishment; spanking had always been reserved for the bedroom in his mind. Live and learn. “Lemonade, Mrs. Randolph, if you have it.”

  “Of course. Lee?”

  “Sounds good to me, don’t linger though, Nan. I want you to be part of this discussion.”

  She nodded and with a smile hurried off toward the back of the house.

  Leland looked a little sheepish. “We don’t do that often, Mr. Hand. We have a…particular relationship. I wear the pants in the family. It’s an agreement Nan and I made years ago, before we got married.”

  Jeff nodded. “No need to explain.”

  “It works for us. I don’t expect other people to understand.”

  “Really, it’s okay. I can see that you two are close. Does the…the…um…”

  “Spanking, son, that’s what it is.”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. Well, does that settle things?”

  “Almost always, it reminds her of her contract with me, to respect and obey, and sometimes it leads to other things more pleasant.” Now it was Leland’s turn to be a little embarrassed.

  Maybe they should move on to business, though the idea of having a relationship like the Randolph’s’ was a very interesting thing for Jeff to contemplate. “Thank you. Now, let’s discuss the matter you hired me for.”

  * * *

  Stormy raced along the highway, trying to get to the Porterman’s spread on time. It was her first real legal case as a lawyer and she wanted it to go perfectly. She’d worked for this ever since her first year in college, through law school, and then three years as a law clerk in Montana. Mr. Holyfield, her boss and the senior partner in the small law firm in Fire Gorge, had warned her that she’d better do a good job on this. He’d said it in a kind way, he was a kind man, but she knew there was a thread of advice in there, too. She’d better do well or she’d be back performing clerical duties again. There was only one law practice in Fire Gorge. The next closest was clear in Las Vegas, and she didn’t want to go that far from home each day. She had to make this work.

  The Porterman farm lay on a bend of Cicada Creek. It was a big spread with crops and a small herd of fancy Piedmontese cattle. From what Stormy could see as she passed through the farm road along its macadam thoroughfare, it was carefully tended. She wasn’t much of an expert on farming or ranching, but she could tell that the Portermans were doing okay. Maybe they weren’t the richest farmers in the county, but they weren’t poor either.

  Despite the day’s heat the front door was closed tight when Stormy arrived. Her knock was answered after a few moments, and she was greeted by Ella Porterman. She’d met the woman before, when the Portermans had come to Holyfield, Ramus and Fyne to hire an attorney. Ella had classically beautiful features, she was a tall woman, several inches taller than Stormy’s five-foot-six, but a whole lot more willowy and narrow. Although Stormy was by no means heavy, she had the kind of curves that Marilyn Monroe was famous for. Stormy and Ella were exact opposite versions of what the male population considered pretty. Unfortunately for Stormy, their attractiveness to men was about all they had in common and finding a friendly welcome was highly unlikely. Ella w
as bossy, manipulative and shrill. Her voice reminded Stormy of the Wicked Witch of the West, and her attitude wasn’t much better.

  Well…one couldn’t necessarily pick one’s clients. Faced with making the best of it or going back to her law clerk status, Stormy opted to do whatever it took to deal with the Portermans, including Ella.

  Patting a lock of blonde hair that wasn’t out of place, Ella Porterman looked down her nose at Stormy. Stormy knew it was because she was a Paiute, with Paiute features. Too many of the people in the county thought of the Native Americans as lazy and irresponsible but that wasn’t true. The Paiutes were much like any other people; they worked hard and tried to prosper. They worshipped and struggled. Her own father had built a small business, a construction company on the reservation. He had his problems, but when he’d been alive he’d tried hard. That meant something and deserved a modicum of respect.

  The fact that Stormy was only a junior lawyer in the firm didn’t help matters but Ella might not have realized that Stormy had been law clerking in Fire Gorge for several months before getting the promotion. Hopefully, it wouldn’t matter in the long run.

  Stormy wondered if the woman was going to let her in, but she offered her hand to Ella and gave her a warm smile.

  “Mrs. Porterman, you might remember me from Holyfield, Ramus and Fyne. I’m Stormy Stillwater.”

  “I remember you.” She stepped back a bit. “Come in. You’re letting the cool air out.”

  “Of course,” Stormy squeezed by Ella and tried not to be intimidated. Russell Porterman came into the modest living room from somewhere in the back of the house. Everything in the room was crisp and tidy. It hardly looked lived in, it was so clean and fresh.

  “Ah,” he said, with a pleasant smile, “our new attorney, come in and sit down.” He glanced over at his wife. “Ella, maybe you can bring in some iced tea. It’s mighty hot out there.” Russ Stillwater was a little mussed, with dirt on his work boots and denim overalls.

  “If you’re thirsty, Russ, you can get it yourself. I’m sure Miss Stillwater is fine.”