“Then follow me.”
She grabbed the bowl of fruit and her soda and then went with him into the great room. In the east corner a table had been set up with ivory chess pieces. He pulled out a chair for her.
“Have a seat, my lady. We’ll see who’s the best at this game.” She placed the fruit on a larger table to her left and sat.
They were well matched. They’d played one game and were well into the next when Averil heard thunder. She looked up from the board and realized the light had grown dim from the dark clouds outside the window.
Cody reached out and turned on a lamp. “No excuse to stop now. I’m almost ready to say checkmate.”
“No way. I’m in a better position.”
When he went to make his move, Averil reached for the fruit bowl and picked out a banana. Cody glanced up at her as he sat back with a triumphant grin. His light-blue eyes glistened in the lamp light.
“I’m close.”
Averil took her time peeling her banana. She tried to avoid staring at his sexy mouth. His foot bumped against her leg. He was trying to break her concentration. While she studied the board, she licked up one side of the banana and down the other. She swirled her tongue around the long, phallic-shaped fruit. Ignoring the quiet groan from across the table, she kept her eyes on her chess pieces. Just as she made her move she took the banana farther into her mouth and looked up at him.
His eyes smoldered with the fire of desire. He’d clamped his firm lips tight and held his body taut.
She slid the banana slowly out and smiled, holding it in her hand. “I believe it’s your turn.”
Like a man thrown a lifeline, Cody glanced down at the chessboard, studying her move. After he made his choice he leaned back but kept his eyes on the board.
She took his rook and said, “Checkmate.” When he looked up, she took one long swipe at her banana and sucked.
His chair fell over when he got up. He threw her over his shoulders and took the stairs two at a time. When he got to his room, Cody dumped her on his bed and followed her down. He clamped his mouth on hers, and his tongue ravished the soft interior.
Averil’s heart pounded against her chest wall, and her pussy gushed from her hunger. She ran her fingers through his thick, dark-brown hair. Their legs intertwined and his hard cock pulsed against her lower lips. She rubbed herself against him, arousing an all-consuming longing for him to satisfy her.
Cody’s mouth slid across her cheek and he bit gently on the lobe of her ear. “You are the sexiest woman I’ve met. I’ll never look at a banana again without thinking of you.” He raked his teeth lightly down her neck and nuzzled his mouth between her neck and shoulder.
“You have on too many clothes.” He pulled her off the bed and unfastened the buttons on her blouse. Kisses landed on each spot of skin exposed. He tossed her shirt on a chair and quickly undid her bra. Then his warm hands clasped her full breasts. She trembled when his mouth feathered over her skin.
She pulled her attention back to him and pulled his T-shirt out of his waistband and over his head. He yanked her back, and her breasts rubbed against his soft chest hair. Both of them reached for the other’s belt. Laughing, they stepped back and undressed the rest of the way.
Cody looked her up and down. “Beautiful is the only word I can think of right now.” He sat on the bed and pulled her to him. “Sit across my lap.”
Averil did, and he closed his hands around her breasts. She took a deep breath as pleasure shot to all the sensitive areas of her body.
He smiled at the red hair covering her pussy lips. “You are a natural redhead.”
She swatted at him. “I’m insulted you doubted it.”
“I didn’t, but I love to tease you.” He ran his work-worn hands along the sides of her ribs, across her stomach, and didn’t stop until he touched one finger to her clit. He rubbed across her bundle of nerves and then slid two fingers down and into her pussy.
She gasped and he took her breast in his mouth. His tongue rubbed around and over the peaked nipple as his fingers moved in and out of her pussy. Averil leaned her head back and closed her eyes, soaking in the sensations of pleasure racing through her body.
When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he had a fierce look on his face and hunger in his eyes. It was obvious he held himself tightly in check to not alarm her.
She moved off his legs and between them. Her hand clasped around his firm cock. Tentatively she ran her hand up and down the length of his dick. She liked the feel of his satin skin. She breathed in his scent and bent to taste the drop of moisture in the slit on his crown.
Running her tongue across her lips, she said, “You taste good and salty.” Then she knelt and took his cock as far as she could into her mouth.
Hearing his deep groan made her smile. She sucked on his cock and cupped his sac in her hands. Gradually, she moved her mouth up and down, swirling her tongue all around his shaft. Her fingers moved his balls gently.
His fingers clenched her head. He stiffened.
“I’m going to come, darlin’.”
In response she increased her tempo and then sucked hard again and tasted his essence. She tilted back on her heels and smiled at him. He lay back on the bed, his breathing rapid and his eyes closed.
Averil lay beside him and kissed his mouth. “I don’t think you liked that at all.”
“I’m sure you’ll get better with practice.” His teasing mouth curved up at the sides. “When I get my strength, I’ll pull us both all the way up on the bed.”
They lay wrapped in each other’s arms for several minutes. Averil liked to feel the beat of his heart against her body. Whenever he touched her, her heart raced and pussy clenched in yearning for him to fill her with his big cock. Averil traced the outline of his face with her finger. When her thumb rubbed across his bottom lip, he teasingly nipped at it. This man was so different from his other persona, the one who’d upset her. She loved his teasing manner.
His father’s death must have been very traumatic for him to have developed such a fear of hospitals. It certainly brought the worst out in him. But she’d seen him trying to cope more each time that he had to go back to visit her or Payton.
Cody opened his eyes. “You’re deep in thought.”
“How do you know? You’ve been sleeping.”
“Merely resting.” He pulled himself and her further up on the bed. “What was worrying you? Your body tensed. Then you moved a slight distance away from me.”
“I was thinking about the two different men you’ve been these past few days.”
“I haven’t had to be in a hospital for years until Payton went in and then you. The sudden overexposure brought out my fears and, stupid me, I reacted in anger. You were the one nearest to me, but that’s no excuse.”
She kissed his sexy mouth. “I forgive you. We’re starting over.”
“We are not. Where did I leave off?” He grinned and nuzzled her neck, tickling her. She’d been lying to his side, but he moved her under him and slid down to the juncture of her thighs. He separated her folds and licked from her clit to her pussy opening. Her hips rose against his mouth.
“You are sweeter than any dessert.” His fingers reached up and tightened around her nipples.
Desire shot from her nipples straight to her pussy. Her pussy tingled and clenched tight. His tongue danced up and down her folds to her clit and back then darted into her pussy opening. His thumb put pressure on her nub and a jubilant thrill raced up her spine.
All thoughts left her head as sensations built throughout her body, creating steamy heat and a rush of euphoria.
Cody positioned himself and thrust in deeply. Her pussy clamped hungrily around his wide cock. Her body trembled, and she screamed his name as ripples of pleasure enveloped her whole body.
When he kissed her, she tasted her own juices on his lips.
He pulled her legs up on his shoulders and pounded into her pussy fast and hard. Another orgasmic wave rushed over her as he slowed his movements and stared into her eyes.
“I love you, Averil.” Then he switched to a slow, seductive pace until a final wave of gratification swept up and over them both.
He cuddled her in his arms while their breathing slowed and their heartbeats returned to normal.
“Shall we shower and go for a ride around the property?”
“I’d like to see your horses and the land.”
“I’ll shower first. If we shower together it’ll be dark before we’re ready. I think you need the fresh air.”
“I have my own bathroom. I’ll go in there.” She stood and walked to the door, then looked back over her shoulder.
“Maybe I’m not ready to let you go just yet.” Cody strolled up behind her. He slid his hands across her shoulders, down her back, and cupped her ass. He nibbled on the soft skin of her shoulder while his hands massaged and squeezed her buttocks.
Her creamy essence wet her pussy lips.
Swinging her into his arms, he walked back to the bed. He laid her on her stomach. “Stay there.”
She heard him ripping another condom package open to sheath his cock. Then he climbed on the bed and had her raise her hips and spread her legs.
His fingers stroked along her pussy lips and rubbed against her clit. He slid two fingers into her wet pussy while he put pressure on her bud. Cody kissed her lower back and she groaned.
Her blood sizzled. She wanted to feel him deep inside her pussy. He put his body up against hers from the back. Reaching forward, he cupped her breasts and rolled her nipples between his fingers.
Averil rubbed her buttocks against him. “Your touch sets me on fire. Put it out, cowboy.”
He chuckled as she’d expected. Moving into position, Cody slowly pushed into her pussy with his hard, wide cock. Then with one hand on her nipple and one on her clit he aroused her even more.
“Ah, you feel so good inside me,” Averil purred.
“Your sweet pussy is wet and hot. It encloses my dick perfectly.”
His words had her pussy clenching tighter around his cock. She moved forward and back, urging him to join her. But he let her set her own pace as he continued to pull on her nipples and rub across her clit. She screamed as waves of ecstasy swamped her.
Cody took hold of her hips and drove his dick hard and fast until a flash of exquisite pleasure shot up her spine. He groaned as he found his own release. She lay forward, and he sprawled lightly across her back. He kissed her neck before rolling to her side.
Just then his phone rang from across the room where he’d placed it on top of his chest of drawers. He sat on the side of the bed for a minute to get his breath before walking across to answer it. “Hello, Mitch. Yes, Averil’s here. I’ll put you on speakerphone so we both can hear you.”
“Someone else has been hospitalized with the same symptoms as Averil. We’re having a meeting at ranch headquarters, and I want Averil to join us.”
“Who was poisoned?”
“Hilda’s husband, Harry. He was working in the community store for her this afternoon. He’s not responsive so we can’t ask who came in and out. Hopefully, he’ll regain consciousness, but the doctors say it looks bad. He got a bigger dose than Averil.”
“We’ll be there as quick as possible.” He cancelled the call.
Averil came to his side. “I can’t remember Harry.”
“I don’t think you’ve met him, but Harry and his wife Hilda are proprietors of the community store. We need to get ready and go to the main ranch house.”
“I’ll head to my room.” Averil hurried to shower and then dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and boots. She was only a few minutes behind Cody. She saw him go out the front door to the truck. Grabbing a long-sleeved shirt, she hurried after him.
* * * *
The conference room was full. Dr. Jack was the first person Averil saw when she walked in. Then she looked around and spotted Kira sitting with two ladies. There was another woman further down and all the leaders.
“I’m leaving you in good hands. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.” Cody squeezed her hand and went to leave.
“You aren’t staying?”
“No, this is a high-level meeting. They’ll tell the rest of us when it’s time.”
She watched him walk jauntily off. She had to smile. His whole persona showed he was a confident, capable man. Several people were smiling at her when she turned around. The whole ranch must know about her, Cody, and Payton.
There goes my blush, again.
“Come in, Averil. We’re ready to start the meeting.” Mitch motioned for her to join them.
Averil went to the seat Kira had saved for her, and everyone sat down. She sensed the tension in the room. Once she was seated, Mitch introduced the unknown lady as their Priestess, Elle. Then he started the meeting.
“It appears we missed one or two of our enemies.” Mitch glanced at each person. “And this enemy is more dangerous. He or she is determined to create fear in our people and to kill randomly. The doctors do not think they will be able to save Harry. Jack, can you explain what’s happening?”
“Sure. This poison goes through the skin and attacks the vital organs like a mutant virus. It’s a devilish concoction. Our scientist are working twenty-four hours a day trying to break down the formula, but so far they’ve had no success.