Josh nodded, placing his utensils down. “Thank you for dinner,” he said as politely as he could before he left the now cold and silent room.
Chapter Thirteen
Shelly was pissed. She was walking back and forth in the barn from one side to the other. Her father was such a damn hypocrite that he drove her nuts. For years, the man had paraded his affairs around right under his mother’s nose, but her mother had stuck around.
Not to mention that when Shelly had been interning at the same hospital as him, she had seen him chase nurse after nurse or pretty much any kind of woman that walked through the hospital. The sad part was he usually succeeded.
Well, I’ll be damned if I end up like my mother. Used by different men over and over in the past, she was determined to find a man who respected her. She was not going to be stuck in a dead-end relationship with a man who took everything from her, only to watch him walk away when he was done.
She heard her name being called from the front of the barn.
“Shelly?”
She’d known Josh would follow her out here, but she didn’t want to talk to him either. Wiping her tears away, she stayed silent.
“If you don’t come out, Georgia, when I find you, it won’t be pretty,” he warned in a pissed-off voice.
Shelly took a deep breath and moved out from the shadows to see him standing at the end of the barn.
He marched forward with his hands on his hips and stopped when he was a foot away from her. “You want to explain what that was all about in there?”
Shelly shook her head and answered, “Not really.”
He took another step this time, making her retreat back. “You used me tonight.”
She nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“Well, at least you’re honest about it,” he granted.
Shrugging, Shelly asked, “What do you care? This was just a detour for you, so you could get laid.”
“Excuse me? Screw you, Shel.” He paused, inching closer with each menacing step until her back was against the barn wall. “I do not like being used.”
Shelly was breathing a little harder now that he was close and all up in her space. She forgot about her father and dismissed all the pain her mother had suffered.
“Then, use me, and we’ll be even,” she offered on a breathy sigh.
***
Josh took a step back and looked at her leaning against the wall, breathing hard.
Her bare legs were slightly parted, and her palms were flat against the wooden wall. All the lights in the barn were off, and she was illuminated by only the moonlight. She looked magnificent, and right now, she was offering herself up on a platter.
“I don’t want to use you,” he told her. “That’s the problem and the difference.”
She closed her eyes and suggested, “Why don’t we use each other?”
He wasn’t feeling kind though, and she needed to know that.
“I’m not very happy with you right now, Georgia, so if you prefer to wait—”
“No,” she replied quickly. “No. I don’t want to wait.”
Josh looked her over one more time, and then looked back to the house. “Will they come out here?”
She shook her head once.
“Are you sure?”
“Not one-hundred percent, but doesn’t that make it better?” she asked him, letting her eyes wander down to his jeans. Then, she pointed out, “The idea seems to be flipping your switch.”
He gave her a smug look, and then said in a deep throaty whisper, “If we do this, it’s by my rules. You humiliated me in there tonight. This is my reward.” He watched her breasts rise and fall under the new blouse she had put on before dinner. “Got it?” he asked, needing verbal confirmation.
“Yes. I understand.”
He let his eyes wander. “Good. Now, unsnap your shorts.”
***
Shelly was damn glad she had the barn wall behind her because she knew she would have otherwise crumpled to the ground. The man standing in front of her was so intense that she could feel the waves of sexual energy rolling off him.
Holy shit. She was about to get it, and she couldn’t wait!
As quickly as she could, she started unsnapping her jean shorts. When they were undone, she went to push them down, but he halted her.
“No. Leave them like that. Now, unbutton your shirt.”
Shelly wasn’t shy at all, and as she untied the shirt, she almost laughed, thinking of the one he had ripped apart earlier. As she started on the buttons, she let her eyes roam all over the hot, tense man in front of her.
He had his jean-clad legs spread wide, showing off an impressive hard-on, and his arms crossed over his chest, making all his muscles bulge. Shelly wanted to see them.
She got to the top button of her shirt and raised her eyes to his. What she saw was scorching hot heat, and it flickered over her, making her insides melt and her thighs clench as moisture pooled between her legs.
“Spread the shirt apart. I want to see your breasts this time.”
Licking her top lip, Shelly spread the shirt and left it hanging down her sides. Then, she slowly peeled her lace bra cups down, baring her breasts to him.
She heard him suck in a harsh breath, and then she watched with anticipation as he reached down and peeled off his own shirt over his head, throwing it on the floor.
Mother of all that is holy! That tattoo, please bring it closer so I can lick it.
Shelly felt her knees shake, and her panties went from damp to soaked in ten seconds. The guy was her every burning hot sexual fantasy wrapped into one big muscular package, and right now, all she wanted was for him to pound her into the barn wall. Please?
***
Josh moved forward, watching her lust-filled eyes trail across his chest and zero in on the tattoo. He could tell she liked his eighteen-year-old mistake because a shiver ran through her, and her mouth fell open a little.
He looked at the beautiful breasts she had put on display for him, and his mouth just about watered. She stood, her back pressed to the barn wall, with her shorts unsnapped and her shirt wide open. She looked so fucking sexy that his heart almost ached as much as his cock—almost.
He took the final step toward her, closing the distance between them.
In a soft growl, he told her, “Don’t move.”
Then, he dropped to his knees in front of her.
***
Shelly looked down to see Josh kneeling on the floor in front of her open shorts, and she sent up every prayer she knew, hoping he was about to do what she thought.
He raised his big hands and parted the denim, and then leaned up on his knees to place a hot, wet kiss just below her navel. She hissed out a breath and brought her hands around to grip his hair lightly.
Looking up at her from beneath those long dark lashes, his eyes were so hot they just about singed her skin. Giving her a smug smile that melted her insides, he then raised his hands, tugging the denim down her legs.
He didn’t take them all the way down. He stopped mid-thigh and ran his hands up her legs to her panties. Josh gripped the edge, pulling the panties down out of his way, and then leaned in with no hesitation, kissing her bare aching mound.
Shelly gasped and thrust her hips toward him, gripping his hair a little tighter. She wanted to widen her legs, but she couldn’t with where the shorts were. He dragged his tongue over her bare flesh and up to her abdomen, nipping and licking it until she was so hot and wet that she gripped his hair and tugged his head back.
“Hmm, you smell so good—like you and me,” he told her, reminding her of what they had done earlier. “Want something, Georgia?” he asked as though he’d been waiting for her to say something.
She smiled down at him and replied just the way she knew he wanted—dirty.
“Yeah. I want your tongue between my thighs, tasting you and me.”
***
Josh had been waiting for the sex goddess to show up.
And t
here she was—with her fingers gripping his hair, a siren’s smile on her face saying “I know you want to,” and her legs currently straining to widen for more pleasure.
He knew once the shorts were gone, all bets were off. He was giving her a chance to change her mind. Granted, it wasn’t much of a chance because he was about a second away from snapping.
God, she smells amazing.
Josh looked up at her. “Is that right?”
She panted and thrust her hips again. “Oh yeah, Josh. I want your mouth, your tongue, and maybe your fingers, but I definitely want your cock.” She paused, smiling innocently at him. In direct opposition to her dirty talk, she sweetly asked, “In that order. Please.”
This woman was going to kill him slowly and pleasurably. He was going to enjoy it, but she was killing him just the same. He shook his head and reached up, gripping her shorts and panties. He pulled them all the way off, throwing them somewhere behind them.
He looked back up at her and grasped her left thigh. He hitched it up and over his shoulder, bringing her hips in line with his mouth.
She took in a deep breath, watching him with sizzling hot eyes, and then she licked her lips, pushing her hips closer toward him.
Keeping his eyes on hers and feeling her fingers tighten in his hair, he leaned forward and flicked out his tongue, licking across her throbbing clit.
***
“Josh!” Shelly heard herself moan as his wicked tongue flicked back and forth across her hot, wet skin.
The man had his eyes glued to hers as he teased her relentlessly with his tongue. Sliding it between her slick folds, and then sucking each side individually between his hot lips. He watched every move she made with blazing eyes. When she gripped his hair tight, he took her small throbbing nub between his lips and sucked hard, causing Shelly to scream and climax way too quickly all over his tongue.
She was limp against the wall, but she knew this was nowhere near finished as far as she was concerned. She felt him slide her leg gently off his shoulder, and then he moved away from her. She opened her eyes and saw him picking up his shirt and sliding it over his head.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he walked back to where she was standing.
“I’m going back inside to get some sleep. It’s been a long day. Plus, I need to check on Mutley.”
Shelly blinked and shook her head. “Huh? What the hell, Josh?”
He cocked his head to his side. “Is there a problem?”
Gripping her shirt, Shelly pulled the sides together, realizing she was not wearing anything below the waist. “Yes, there’s a problem. You said—”
Josh moved back to her and brushed her hands aside. He started to button her shirt for her. He didn’t even seem to realize she was without her shorts.
“I said this was my reward—what I wanted. You agreed,” he told her firmly.
“But—”
“No buts. I took what I wanted, and now we’re even. You used me, and I used you. Quite well, too, I must add,” he leaned down and kissed her nose.
Shelly narrowed her eyes, almost going cross-eyed. “That was not the deal, Daniels.”
“I don’t care what you think this was about. I’m telling you. I will not be used like that ever again. If you have issues and want to talk to me, then, fine, we’ll talk. But don’t ever use me to fight your battles without at least telling me what I’m getting into.”
Shelly stood silent, shocked that he was so angry about what had happened.
After all, why does he care? We hardly know one another.
“I just thought we were going to—”
He let out a deep breath, and it slid over her mouth and tickled her nose.
“I know what you thought, Georgia, but I will not have sex with a woman who is angry, hurt, and who just finished humiliating me. This lowly construction worker has higher standards than that.”
With that, he turned on his heel, leaving her standing in the barn with her shirt, no shorts, and what little dignity she thought she had broken in pieces.
Chapter Fourteen
It was 5:30 a.m., and Shelly hadn’t gotten any sleep at all.
After she had gone back to the house, all the lights had been turned off, and it had been so quiet, you could have dropped a pin and heard it land. She had made her way upstairs and had been precariously close to knocking on Josh’s door. But, after her performance tonight, she didn’t think he would have welcomed her.
Instead, she had gone into her empty bedroom and climbed into a cold bed.
What the hell was I thinking, bringing him home with me? He didn’t know me, my problems, and more to the point, my family. Maybe that had been the whole point. She was finally realizing that she wanted him to know all of it.
A little happier with that conclusion, Shelly climbed out of bed and got ready to face the day. She needed to remind Josh that he wanted her, and then she would show him why he should like her.
Putting on a different pair of Daisy Dukes that were faded at the pockets, she paired it with a flowy white shirt that had long loose sleeves. Tucking in the shirt at her small waist, she then framed it with a brown leather belt. Leaving her blonde hair down, she pulled on her cowgirl boots and made her way downstairs.
When she reached the kitchen, she heard some movement and made her way toward it. Shelly stopped, waiting quietly at the door, and watched as her mother stood in front of the large bay windows that overlooked the back lot, scrubbing the big pots she must have used last night.
Her mother was humming softly as she worked with her hands in the sudsy water.
Shelly walked over toward her, and as her boots hit the tile, her mother turned to look over her shoulder. Stopping mid-stride, Shelly locked eyes with this woman whom she loved more than anyone else, even though the woman always managed to let her down in some fundamental way.
“Good mornin’, Shelly,” her mother said softly as she turned back to the sink. Gone was the use of “Shel,” which meant she was in trouble.
Sidling up beside her mother, she took the hand towel hanging over the rail and started to dry the dishes.
“Morning, Ma.”
The silence was awful.
It stretched and tightened like a taut rope with each breath Shelly took. Finally, when the air was pretty much suffocating her, Shelly asked, “So, where’s Father?”
Without looking her way, Shelly’s mother answered, “Your Father got called into the hospital. He’ll be gone most of the day.”
Before she thought better of it, Shelly muttered, “Typical.”
She heard the pot clang down, hitting the bottom of the stainless steel sink, as her mother whipped her head around to face her.
“What on earth has gotten into you, Shelly Monroe?” she demanded, taking a deep breath before shaking her head. Softly, in a tone that almost sounded defeated, she whispered, “I don’t remember raising such a rude and cruel young lady.”
Shelly couldn’t bring herself to look at her mother, so she continued staring out the window at nothing in particular.
“What did you hope to achieve with your lil’ performance last night?” her mother asked quietly. Her country accent was still present, but it was not as obvious when her emotions were tense. Her tone clipped and curt.
Swallowing, Shelly turned to look at the small lady beside her. She shrugged slowly, not wanting to speak.
“Not only did you embarrass yourself, but you managed to humiliate that lovely young man you brought here to meet us.” She paused and picked up the pot out of the sink, rinsing the suds from it before placing it in the drainer.
Finally, Shelly decided she needed to say something. “I just can’t stand the way he treats you, Ma.”
“That is none of your business, Shelly,” her mother stressed, looking at Shelly with annoyed eyes. Her mother blinked slowly and shook her head. Once again, her annoyance and disappointment were evident on her face. “Your opinion on my marriage does not count. Do ya hear me?
And it certainly did not need to be announced across the dinner table in front of a guest.” She paused breathing hard. “For all your father has done to me in the past, he’s never humiliated me on purpose, like the way you did last night. He is discreet and—”
“And cheats!” Shelly yelled back. “He cheats on you, Ma! Over and over again. How can you let him keep coming back?”
Throwing the sponge into the sink, her mother wiped her hands and turned to face her daughter full on. Shelly straightened her spine, preparing for whatever was about to come her way.
For years, she had watched this woman let her husband emotionally destroy her. Shelly couldn’t comprehend why her mother let him get away with it for so many years.
“I will say this once, and then you’re to never speak of it with me again. Do I make myself clear?”
Shelly sharply nodded once and waited.
“Your father and I met when I was sixteen years old. Sixteen, Shelly. We dated and fell in love. It was wonderful, full of flowers an’ rainbows. That’s the way you think it should be, am I right?” She paused, and her shoulders slumped a little. Stepping closer to Shelly, she reached out and ran a finger down her daughter’s cheek. “You look so much like him.”
“Don’t.” Shelly muttered, pulling her face away from the touch. “I wish I looked nothing like him.”
Her mother shook her head. “I don’t. I look at you, Shel, and I see all the goodness that he was. When we fell in love, life was easy. We were young and had the rest of our lives ahead of us. But then, we grew up, and life changed. He went into a grueling medical program, and I got pregnant.”
“I’m so sorry,” Shelly snapped.
“Stop it,” her mother told her firmly, the strong Southern woman making an appearance. “Stop being so angry at him. I chose this life, Shelly. Me—not him. He has told me on numerous occasions that he’d look after me if I wanted to move on, but Shelly, I don’t want to. This is my life. It’s where you grew up not wanting or needing anything, and he’s my friend.”