N. Walters - Erin’s Fancy

Nathan snorted. “It works out better than well. Erin employs about a dozen kids from the high school during harvest time, either part-time or full-time.”

Jackson nodded. “Yeah, she does. We use the rest of the fields to plant some hay and alfalfa. It works out well for us.”

“It works out better for me,” Abel added. “I want to thank you for taking care of the house. It certainly wasn’t part of the agreement. To tell you the truth it just never crossed my mind.” Both men were looking at him with blank looks in their eyes, strengthening his belief that it was all Erin’s doing.

“I told you it was no big deal.” She glanced at her brothers and back at her plate. “I’m over that way all the time and it only takes a few minutes to open a window or run a dustcloth over things.”

Abel responded by sliding his hand up the inside of her thigh again, and this time he didn’t stop until he reached the top. He could feel her feminine heat seeping from her crotch even through the layer of denim, and he felt his dick begin to stir in response. He licked his lips, imagining just how good she would taste. The urge to haul down her jeans, spread her legs wide, and lick every inch of her sweet pussy was almost overwhelming. It didn’t matter that her brothers were sitting right next to him and would probably kill him if they could read his mind.

Erin jumped when his palm cupped her intimately, choking on a piece of chicken. Abel was forced to remove his hand long enough to thump her on her back.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Jackson watched as Abel continued to pat her on the back.

“I’m sure,” she sputtered. Jumping up from the table, she went straight to the sink and poured a glass of water for herself. Taking her time, she sipped slowly all the while keeping her back turned to them. When she finally regained her composure, she went to the oven, grabbed a potholder, and pulled out a casserole dish that had been left warming there.

Abel watched her as she dished up a steaming chocolate pudding mixture and topped each serving with fresh cream. He could sit and watch her all day long. There was something about the way she moved that was restful. Even when she was busy, her movements were unhurried and precise. Some of her hair had escaped from the confines of her braid, and little locks curled slightly in the heat. Her skin was flushed and her full lips were parted in concentration as she worked.

Abel would much rather have her for dessert than chocolate. Or even better was Erin covered in chocolate. He shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable. His erection was pushing hard against the front of his jeans, and kept him from offering to help. There was no way he could leave his seat right now without both her and her brothers noticing that his cock was straining against the zipper of his jeans, demanding to be let out.

Jackson pulled his attention away from her with his next question. “Are you working on a new book?”

Abel stiffened, not wanting to talk about his work. He never did. But this was different. He knew it wasn’t morbid curiosity that prompted his friend, but a genuine interest in Abel himself. “No. I just finished one that should be out by Christmas.”

“What’s it about?” As a deputy sheriff, Nathan was always interested in Abel’s opinions on the various court cases he researched and wrote about.

“The Trenton Slayer.” Everyone was silent for a moment, and then Nathan let out a long, slow whistle.

“That was a hell of a case. Mark Smithson spent over ten years murdering young girls before they caught him.” Nathan shook his head. “I read some of the reports on that one, and they were pretty gruesome.”

Erin placed the dishes of dessert on the table in front of all of them. Everyone ignored them as they listened to Abel recount some of the story.

“Yeah, it was the worse case I’ve ever investigated.” That was saying something, as they all knew that it was his parents’ brutal murder in a convenience store holdup that had led him to his career as an investigative journalist and later a crime writer.

“I talked to the cops and all the families.” He toyed with the dessert spoon for a moment before looking up at them, and his eyes were bleak. “But the worst of it was talking to Smithson. He’s one sick son of a bitch. It was all just a game to him, and he didn’t regret one thing he did. In fact, he promised to do worse if he ever gets out.”

Now it was her turn as Erin slipped her hand over to his lap and squeezed his thigh. There was comfort in her touch and he could feel her concern for him. It gave him the strength to pull himself away from the story. If he wasn’t careful, it dragged him down like it had for the last year of his life, eating at him and sucking him dry.

“Anyway, I’m finished with it. The book is done and I don’t want to think about it any longer.” Abel tried his best to inject some humor into his voice. “I’m looking forward to a long vacation filled with sleeping, eating, fishing, and the occasional ice-cold beer.”

Jackson teased him in an attempt to lighten the mood. “A man of leisure. If you get bored, come on over here and I’ll put you to work doing a real job. We’ll have those puny muscles of yours built up in no time.”

They all laughed as Jackson had intended. Abel was more muscular than Jackson was and that was saying something, as there wasn’t an ounce of fat on Jackson after years of hard farm work. “If I ever feel the need to get into shape, you can be my personal trainer.” Abel’s smile was genuine now.

Reaching down, he grabbed Erin’s hand before she could pull it away. Slowly, he slid it up over the top of his thigh and over his throbbing cock. He knew she could feel him pulsing through his jeans, and her hand automatically covered him and squeezed gently. It was all too easy to imagine her on her knees in front of him opening the front of his jeans. His cock would spring loose and she would take him deep into her mouth and suck him. Hard.

Abel broke out into a cold sweat as he struggled for control. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to start a game like this. Erin’s touch affected him deeply and his reactions were quick and extreme. Right now, he wanted to sweep the dishes off the table, throw her on the top, and fuck her until they were both senseless with pleasure. It didn’t even matter that her brothers were sitting right there in front of them. He was in way over his head.

Thankfully, Nathan broke the erotic spell that she was weaving around him when he pushed back from the table. His chair made a scraping noise on the floor as he stood and stretched. “Come on, Jackson. I’ll give you a hand in the barn and Erin and Abel can do the dishes.”

“Are you sure?” Erin glanced from one brother to the other. “I can help him after I finish the dishes.”

Nathan winked at her before heading for the back door. “I’m sure. You’ve already had a long day.” Abel realized then that he wasn’t the only one who’d heard the heated exchange between brother and sister earlier. “Besides, I’m bigger and stronger than you,” he teased her.

“And uglier,” Jackson added as he rose from the supper table.

“I never denied otherwise.” The screen door slammed behind him and they could all hear him whistle as he walked towards the barn.

Jackson nodded at Abel. “Come on out if you want.”

“Thanks,” Abel responded, surprised he could talk with Erin’s hand slowly moving up and down over his cock. “But I’m still beat. I drove straight through last night and only slept for a couple hours today. After I help with the dishes, I’m gonna go on home and make an early night of it.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Jackson headed for the door, but turned at the last second and glanced back over his shoulder at his sister. “Thanks for supper.” His voice was gruff and he was gone before Erin could respond.

She was stunned for a moment before she laughed with delight. “Well, that was a first. You’re obviously a good influence on him.”

Abel trapped her hand against him and squeezed hard. He wanted her so bad his teeth ached. She was fast becoming an addiction. One taste wasn’t enough, but left you wanting more. He knew he wanted her. Had to have her. But not until she understood where he stood in his life right now. All he had the energy for at the moment was sweaty, grinding, hot sex. And lots of it. The last year had left him feeling raw.

It took more strength than he thought he possessed to remove her hand from the front of his jeans and place it back on the table. Standing, he towered over her for a moment, soaking in her beauty. “We have to talk.” His voice was gruff as he struggled with the desire pulsing through his veins.

Stiffening in her chair, she slowly looked up at him. “So talk.”

Erin didn’t wait for him to speak, but stood up and began clearing the dishes off the table. Quickly and efficiently, she scraped and piled plates on top of each other. Carrying a stack to the counter, she deposited them there and returned to the table for another load. Her body was rigid as she moved. Abel could tell he had ticked her off with his actions.

Sighing, he picked up several of the now empty serving bowls and took them over to the counter, dumping them next to the other dirty dishes. When he turned, he realized that Erin was standing there watching him, practically devouring him with her gaze. The hungry look in her eyes startled him, and then he felt an answering hunger rise up within him.

She was a tall woman with wide hips and long legs. Swallowing, he leaned back against the counter and closed his eyes to shut her out. It didn’t help. Her image was burned on his brain, and his imagination was filled with erotic pictures of her. He didn’t have to hold back his sexual appetites for fear of hurting her with his sheer size. They fit together perfectly. Those long, luscious legs wrapped around his waist easily, while his hands locked on her ample hips so he could thrust into her. Hard.

This wasn’t good. He was so primed at the moment, it wouldn’t take much for him to come. For a man who prided himself on his self-control, he was rapidly finding that he didn’t have much, if any, when it came to this woman standing in front of him. He rolled his head from side-to-side, hoping to loosen the tension there.

Erin continued to move around the kitchen, opening and closing cupboard doors. Abel felt her standing next to him, but before he could open his eyes, she picked up one of his clenched hands, pried it open, and dropped something in it.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a headache.” He could tell by her tone that she was trying to joke with him. “This might help.”

Opening his eyes, he stared at his open hand, and the over-the-counter pain reliever that she’d put there. She waited patiently next to him with a glass of water in her hand. Again, he felt a tenderness for her well up within him. It had been a long time since anyone had bothered to worry about him.

“Thank you,” he replied solemnly before popping the pills into his mouth and chasing them down with the glass of water.

“We can talk tomorrow if you want.” Erin went back to work and he noticed that while he’d had his eyes closed, she’d finished clearing the table and wiping it down.

“No. I’d rather get it over with. Besides, I told you I’d help with the dishes.”

Erin shrugged and started running water into the sink. “Suit yourself.”

“I usually do,” he replied laconically.

She squirted some liquid detergent into the sink before pointing to a drawer next to him. “Dishtowels are in there.” Turning away from him, she plunged her hands into the water and began to wash glasses and cutlery with a vengeance.

Abel pulled out a clean towel, picked up a glass and started to dry it. He decided it was prudent to give them both a little space. They worked in silence, but it was a companionable one, and Abel was pleased that Erin was not one of those women who felt the need to fill every quiet moment with mindless chatter.

Ten minutes later they were almost finished the dishes and Abel was no longer feeling quite so pleased with the quiet. It was almost as if she’d forgotten he was even there. It took him a second to realize that his male vanity had been pricked by her lack of attention and interest. He chuckled to himself. Obviously, he’d never have to worry about getting a swollen ego with her around. Other parts of his anatomy might swell, he thought as he glanced down at the bulge of his jeans, but never his ego.