General Joe: Magnolia Ridge Series Read online

  “Bunny, I’m on top of you. Of course I’m hard.”

  “So just being on top of a woman gets you all worked up.” My words are jealous and I hate each one of them.

  “I’ve been this hard since you sent me that first letter, and you know it,” he growls.

  From the sound of his voice I can’t tell if he’s mad or not.

  “Well, that must be uncomfortable. I sent that first one a while ago.”

  Joe’s lips twitch and I try to fight the blush creeping up my neck, but it’s impossible. That first letter was mild in comparison to the ones I sent after; each one was bolder than the last.

  “Still a brat, I see.”

  “A brat would mean I’m still a child.”

  “No, I think you can be a brat at any age.”

  “Can we get up?” My eyes sting with tears, but luckily I can hold those back.

  He stares down at me for a moment and I think he doesn't want to do it, but eventually he lets out a deep breath and shifts off of me. He pulls me to my feet with him and I fall into his arms. My hands land on his chest and I swear every time I see him he gets bigger. I can’t stop myself from rubbing my fingers across his wide muscles.

  “I missed you,” I breathe out.

  “I missed you too.” His arms tighten around me.

  He didn't miss me enough to say goodbye the last time he left. No one ever says goodbye. “I couldn't tell.”

  His jaw goes tight. Why is he the mad one? I didn't up and disappear on him. I’ve been here the whole time.

  “You know I had to go.”

  “No, I didn't.” I shake my head. “You willingly left. You made your choices.” I can’t keep the hurt from my words, but this time I’m not running, I’m pushing.

  I let out a small scream when my feet leave the ground and his mouth comes down on mine. My fingers dig into his shirt and I’m in shock for a moment before I realize what’s happening.

  He kissed me. My first kiss.

  “Open your mouth,” he orders, and I do.

  His tongue sweeps in as he takes the kiss he demanded. I whimper when his cock digs into me and he pulls back too soon. I slide down his body until my feet hit the ground and now my mouth feels swollen. I don’t think I kissed him back at all—he just took what he wanted.

  His arms drop from around me as he steps back. “Even sweeter than I thought you’d be.” His tongue comes out and grazes his bottom lip. “You better run faster, Bunny, if you think you can get away from me.”

  Excitement bubbles up inside of me before I turn and take off on a dead run. I have no idea where I’m going, but this time I’m the one that leaves without saying goodbye.

  Chapter Three

  Joe

  I pull up outside of Twice Read Tales as I see Kayla rush through the doors. It’s almost like she can feel me hot on her heels and she’s right.

  After last night and kissing her, I didn’t sleep a wink. I made sure she got home safe and I let her have the night alone. It’s going to be her last night alone if I’ve got anything to say about it.

  The first thing I did when I got back into town was buy that old farmhouse she loved outside of town. The one that backed up to the pond with the big oak trees and wraparound porch. I remember going out there with her several times when it used to be owned by her great aunt. After she retired and moved to Florida it sat vacant and needed some work. I’ve been having people fix it up for me for the past couple of years, knowing one day I’d want to gift it to her. But after everything that’s happened since the last time I left, the only thing I’ve imagined in that house is the family I’m going to make with Kayla.

  The house is ready and so am I. It’s time to bring my girl home and start that family I know we’re both desperate for. When she was a kid she talked non-stop about having ten kids, and now I vow to give her every single one of them.

  I jump out of my truck and go across the street and into the shop. There’s a chime on the door that sounds like a security system, and I’m happy to know at least she’s safe in here.

  “Can I help you?” I recognize the brunette behind the counter from the police station yesterday.

  “You’re Barbie, right?”

  “Who’s asking?” The deep voice comes from the back of the store and I see a big guy walking closer. “Oh, you’re looking for Kayla.”

  I nod as he comes up to me and holds out his hand. “I’m Shaw, and that one is mine.” He nods over to Barbie, who turns tomato red but doesn’t disagree.

  “Yeah, I saw her come in. Is she still here or is she sneaking out the back again?”

  “She’s in the storage room in the back,” Shaw says, and Barbie hisses at him.

  “Shaw!”

  He shrugs, not caring. “We’re about to go to lunch. I’ll lock the door on the way out,” he says as he takes Barbie’s hand and pulls her to the front.

  “But, but—” Barbie protests.

  “Good luck,” Shaw says as they exit the door and I hear the click of the deadbolt.

  I walk toward the back of the store and see the door marked Storage. I hear some rustling on the other side and quietly turn the knob. When I do, I see Kayla with her back to me as she sorts through some papers on a table in front of her.

  She’s humming to herself, not noticing that I’ve snuck in, and I take a moment to look her up and down. She’s got on a tight black long-sleeve shirt and a plaid skater skirt that’s too damn short. My eyes trail down the bare skin of her thighs to the black knee-high socks she’s got on and then to her combat boots. She looks like a dirty schoolgirl and I lick my lips remembering the taste of her.

  Last night, like every other night, I stroked my cock to the fantasy of her. Now that I’m faced with the real thing, those dirty dreams pale in comparison to the real thing.

  “You wearing panties?” My voice sounds like I haven’t used it in ten years and it scares the shit out of her. She whips around with her hand on her chest and wide eyes.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” she breathes, taking her time looking me over. “What are you doing here?”

  She goes up on her tiptoes to look behind me like any moment someone is going to come running in.

  “Shaw let me in.” She narrows her eyes into a scowl. “Then they left and locked the door.” Her look of anger is replaced with shock as she takes a step backwards.

  “You’re lying.” She takes another small step back, but her ass hits the table.

  “You know me better than that, Bunny.” I rub my thumb across my bottom lip as I get a good look at her from the front. “I’ve never lied to you, and I never will.” Her top dips low and I can see the swell of her tits, and I wonder if she dressed like this knowing I’d hunt her down today. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

  She closes her mouth tight as she crosses her arms over her chest and raises her chin in defiance. “I thought you were going to chase me.”

  “I let you have your rest last night.” I take a step forward and her eyes widen. “It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me. I can find out for myself.”

  “You think I got rest last night? I haven’t slept good since the day you left without saying goodbye.” The hurt in her words and the anger in her eyes hit me in the chest.

  “I’m here now.” I take another step closer until we’re inches apart and I can feel the heat of her body so damn close to me.

  “Until you’re not.”

  “Your letters were all sweet and sugar.” I reach up and rub my knuckle against her chin. “But I missed this fire.”

  Her lips part and I lean down to brush mine against hers. I can’t help myself and I don’t want to anymore. I’m tired of holding back what feels real and true. I might be too old for her, but goddamn it, nobody will love her like I do. That may be selfish, but when it comes to Kayla, there’s nothing and no one that will take care of her like I will.

  “Joe,” she moans against my mouth, and every part of my body is rigid with ne
ed.

  “Let me show you how much I missed you.”

  My hands run down her sides and to her hips as I kneel down in front of her. I lift her up and set her ass on the edge of the table, moving between her legs.

  “W-what are you doing?” Her eyes are wide as I move my palms between her bare thighs and push them apart.

  “Making up for leaving you.” I lick my lips and lift up her skirt. “And getting my reward for serving my country.”

  She gasps when I flip the short material out of the way and reveal her wet panties. The pale pink cotton displays just how much she wants me to do this, and I grunt with need as I press my nose to the damp spot.

  “Fuck, you smell like sunshine and tulips.” I kiss the wet cotton and rub my nose against it. She moans and I open my mouth over the material and lick her through it. I can feel her hot need on my tongue as I suck on her clit through the cotton and she bucks her hips. “Easy, Bunny.”

  I grab her hips and hold her still as I take my time tasting her like this, teasing her with my mouth. I’m in no rush to have this be over and I’ve been dreaming about this moment for so damn long, I want to savor it.

  “Oh God, is this real?”

  I nuzzle her again before I use a finger to pull the wet cotton to the side. “It is, and it’s all mine.”

  I bury my face in her wet pussy and lick her like a bowl of ice cream. She’s so fucking sweet and sugary that I can’t eat her fast enough. My tongue is everywhere, and before I know what I’m doing I’ve got two fingers inside of her and I’m thrusting them like I would my dick.

  “Joe!” she cries, and I growl.

  My hand holding her panties pulls harder and the material rips apart. I stuff the tattered cotton in my jeans before I slide my hand under her ass and lift her up to my mouth. My fingers inside of her are dripping with her syrup and I lick all over to try and clean her up. It’s no good, though, because she’s so damn wet my mouth can’t keep up.

  “Fuck, you’re soaked.” She whines as she wiggles on my fingers and I have to hold her steady. “I knew you’d be a fresh little thing, but I never imagined you’d be so wet for it.”

  “I can’t help it.” She tries to shove her skirt down, but I look up at her and still her with a glare.

  “Don’t you ever try and keep this from me.” I drag my tongue over her clit and she whines again. “And don’t you ever worry about being drenched.” I lick her again and her thighs shake. “This just means it will be easier for me when I get my cock in here.” Her mouth falls open as her hips roll up. “Oh yeah, Bunny. I’m going to make this mine.”

  I curl my fingers up and she cries out as I suck on her clit. The sounds of her wet pussy are a goddamn symphony of paradise, and though I’m not ready for it to end, her body can’t wait any longer.

  Her thighs tense and try to close as her back arches and her hips thrust up. She cries out when I plunge my fingers deep and lick her little pearl. I feel her hot channel squeeze me and pulse with need. It’s hot and messy and I instantly want more.

  “It’s better than I ever imagined,” I say against her, licking her clean and letting my fingers slip from her warmth. I clean them up too before I get back on my feet between her legs.

  I fist her hair in my hand and tilt her head back as I kiss her and let her taste her desire on my lips. It’s hot and dirty and I can’t wait to make her mine.

  Her fingers fumble with my belt and I hear the metal clang as she gets it undone and unzips my jeans. I hiss when my cock springs free between us and her delicate fingers try to wrap around it.

  “Be careful, Bunny. I’m close to the edge.”

  “Maybe I want to push you over.”

  I look into her eyes, and before she can blink or change her mind, I have her on her back on the table and one of her legs thrown over my shoulder. My cock is hard and dripping right at her virgin opening, and just as the creamy tip touches her wet heat, the back door of the storage room flies open.

  “What the—”

  I roar a curse as I cover Kayla’s body with my own so the officers from the police station can’t get a good look at her. In the distance I see the chief’s cruiser and I curse once again.

  This is not good.

  Chapter Four

  Kayla

  My heart pounds so loud it’s all I can hear. I know someone came in, but I was so wrapped up in Joe. My body needs more of him and I burrow into his chest. I’m so close to finally having him, I don’t want to stop now. Why are people always ruining things?

  “Joe?” I mumble, still trying to get my mind straight.

  His big body covers mine and I know whoever opened the back door is gone for the moment. The outside light no longer fills the small storage room and we’re alone.

  “Gotta let me go, Bunny.” I shake my head against his chest and my heart wants to break. “I’m not letting anyone see you like this, so I need to fix your clothes.”

  “Oh.” I peek back up at him. “You don’t mean like really let go.”

  “No.” The one word snaps out. “You think that after what we almost just did?”

  “Almost,” I remind him. I lick my bottom lip, still tasting him there. “Who walked in on us? I thought you said Barbie and Shaw left.” Joe reaches between us, trying to straighten my skirt the best he can without me letting him out of my death hold.

  “Two cops and your dad.” My hands drop from his chest and I jerk back. The fuzz is here again? “No more running.”

  “I’m innocent, I tell you!” I tease, trying to break the mood, but still my stomach turns at what is about to happen. If there’s one thing that would keep Joe from me, it’s my dad. I know my dad means a lot to him and I get it. He took him in when Joe lost his own family and then they grew closer when we lost Ben.

  His big hands come up to cup my face and I lean into his gentle touch. “I’ve got you, relax.” He sees right through what I’m trying to do. I’m always quick to joke or to change the subject when I get nervous.

  “You were almost mine.” We’d been so close.

  “Bunny, I’ve always been yours and I’m sorry I ever made you doubt that.”

  In what way does he mean that he’s always been mine? I don’t think of him as a brother even though I know it’s the role my dad has tried to slot him into.

  I jump when someone pounds on the back door.

  “I’m giving you thirty more seconds,” I hear my dad say.

  Time is up and Joe takes a step. I watch him put his cock back into his jeans and it doesn’t matter that my dad is five feet from us, I am still turned on. It’s way bigger than anything I’d ever dreamed up and I’m not sure how it’s going to fit. Good thing I'm up for the challenge.

  “Bunny,” Joe snaps, reminding me that now is not the time.

  I get down off the table and make sure my clothes are all okay as Joe buckles his belt.

  My dad pulls the door open a second later and he stares right at Joe before looking at me. I grab Joe’s arm and try to pull him behind me but he doesn’t move. I’m not really sure how my dad will be about me dating anyone since it’s never come up before now. What I don't want is for Joe to lose my dad as a father figure. He has no family and maybe I’ve been selfish this whole time, but I can’t hide my feelings forever. We’re the only family he has and I am jeopardizing that by putting him in this situation.

  I realize I’m never going to be able to move him, so I step in front of him instead. “It’s my fault,” I blurt out before anyone can say anything. I look past my dad to see Officers Jefferson and Clarence leaning up against their cop cars talking and not paying us any attention. Joe wraps an arm around me and pulls me into him. “You’re not helping,” I hiss over my shoulder. “I seduced him.” The point of all those letters was to make him fall madly in love with me.

  “Bunny.” His arm tightens around me.

  “Zip it,” I order him again. How did he make it as a Marine if he can’t take orders?

  “Can we
not talk about you seducing anyone?” My dad runs a hand down his face.

  “I can seduce anyone I want.” I’ve only ever tried with Joe and it looks to be working.

  “Kayla.” I look up at Joe, not used to him saying my name. More so in that tone.

  “I told you to zip it.”

  “Stop talking about seducing anyone you want.”

  “I can.” I motion to my skirt and he closes his eyes, shaking his head, but I swear for a moment he fights a smile.

  “So I guess she’s your handful now,” Dad says with a chuckle, and I realize he’s not really looking angry.

  “I’m not a handful.” Dad’s eyebrows lift all the way up his forehead. “Okay, sometimes I’m a handful.” I am a little bit of a mess, but things are always breaking and happening around me. At first I thought it was bad luck or I would blame it on something else, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m the common denominator so it has to be me.

  “She stole the coffee machine from the station.”

  “You don’t have proof!”

  “There are cameras everywhere in the station,” he reminds me.

  Damn it. How did I forget about that? Hopefully Missy doesn't have cameras at the back of her place.

  “Oh,” is all I can think to say while Joe’s body shakes with laughter. My dad’s lips twitch into a smile and this isn't going as I expected. “So what are you doing around these parts?” I change the subject.

  “Missy called about something and then we heard a commotion in here. Thought someone broke in again, as the shop is closed right now.”

  “What did Missy want?” Joe asks. I throw my elbow back as forcefully as I can but I only meet a hard stomach.

  “Ouch.” I rub my elbow. Why is he asking about her? It’s me he had pinned to the table minutes ago.

  “Why are you hitting me?” Now he’s as amused as my dad seems to be.