Ride It Out (8 page)

"Oh."

I gather her into my arms and pull her close. "You're incredible, babe."

She trails one finger along my chest, tracing a faint scar left from the accident. "Can I ask? What happened?"

One shoulder lifts in a half shrug. "Me, Jelly, and a couple of the other guys had gone to meet up with another club for some business. It was clear, cool night, absolutely gorgeous, and I wanted to take the scenic route, stay off the highway. Usually they'd have been right there with me, but Jelly's ol' lady had to leave early the next day, so I split off."

I've told this a hundred times, but this time is different. I care what she thinks of me after she hears it. "I'm on a narrow two-lane, round a curve, and all of a sudden headlights are blinding me and a horn is blowing. I didn't feel the impact. I found out later a drunk driver had passed a semi on the curve and hit me. The horn I heard was the truck warning me." Details about injuries and surgeries followed, like I was talking about someone else.

She stayed silent until I was done. "I'm sorry, but not sorry. You wouldn't have noticed me, or considered talking to me, before that happened."

As bad as I hate to admit it, she's probably right. Before, just like most people, I tended to look right past someone in a wheelchair. "How did you get to be in the chair?" I hadn't noticed any signs of paralysis or anything like that.

"I got sick when I was a baby. My mom says it was from a vaccine, but I don't know. Anyway, after that, I stayed weak. Technically, I can walk or whatever. I just don't have the strength to go more than a few steps."

We talked more, about her life growing up and about how close I'd come to death. Gradually, we drifted off to sleep, tangled in each other's arms.

In the morning, I lay there for a long time, watching her sleep. Sweet Anne, I'd worn her out. Especially after the second time when I woke her up needing more. Strands of her hair have fallen across her face and I brush it away. The world could end and I wouldn't want to move from right there in her bed, looking at her beautiful face.

Unfortunately, Jelly and the other guys are waiting. I have info they need and the lack of it could cost Raider blood.

I ease away from her, careful not to wake her. She needs her rest because I plan on a few repeat performances before long.

Back at my place, I talk business with the guys. Satisfied with all the information, we just hang out for a while. Lurch and Tiny have commandeered the TV and are watching professional wrestling. Leo is scribbling in that little notebook he keeps with him all the time. Who knows where the hell Peanut is, or cares, for that matter?

Jelly keeps looking at me. I know my mood has done a complete one-eighty from a few weeks ago. Hell, since I saw that pretty chick in the yellow dress and wheelchair.

"How you doing, Hound? I mean, really, not what you'd tell your docs."

Now how the hell did he know that? "I'm really good, Jelly." Fucker knows me too damn well.

"Noticed you hitting the fruit punch pretty hard last night instead of beer." He grins a little. "That little piece got you tied up in knots, has she?"

I shake my head. "It's not like that, Jelly. Anne is… more."

"Shit, man. Can she deal with the Raiders?"

"I don't know. I haven't asked, haven't told her anything really." Yeah, I know it's stupid. I should have talked to her last night while there was still a chance of getting out with my soul intact. Now? Well, hopefully she can handle it.

A short time later, they pack up their shit and hit the road, heading back home. And I'm finally alone with my thoughts..Last night was fucking amazing. The things Anne did, even though she had never been with a man before, I can’t wait to get her back under me. Showing her all the things a man like me can do for her.

Wonder if she's awake yet? The boys left all the food that wasn't eaten last night, so I figure I'll put something together for a lunch, and take it to her place. If she's not up yet, I'll wake her up the best way possible.

A leftover steak gets chopped up and tossed in with some mushrooms I find in the fridge, and I add some onions. The TV is still on and I decide to check out the local news while I get stuff ready. The weather pops up, catching my attention with a radar image full of red. Fuck! Watching and listening, I learn the tropical storm that was supposed to hit somewhere in the Gulf has turned, and is coming right for us. According to the pretty weather girl with her most serious face on, it's picked up speed and strength..

“We’re advising all residents to leave and find a safe place, now. Hurricane Alexis is forecast to be a Category Four Hurricane by the time the eye makes landfall.” Panic hits me hard. Rain is already pelting down, so much the guys had worn their slickers as they left. And I have no fucking way to get Anne out of here safely, not with her chair.

I do the only thing I can think of, and call nine-one-one. The tired-sounding lady on dispatch says the fuckers won't be able to help us until after they’ve evacuated the nursing homes and hospitals first. Apparently, most of their people left already, heading for safety. Something about being a mostly volunteer service. Looks like we’re on our own. Do I leave and go get help, risk not being able to get back, or do I stay with Anne?

Either way, I need to get back to Anne, now. Packing up a few things, along with the food I've fixed, I shut the storm shutters on the windows and leave.

Chapter Twelve: Blake

The rain is coming down hard. At the last second, I make the decision to take my truck down to Anne’s instead of leaving it behind. We might need it, I could help Anne up into it if all else fails, and we’d leave her chair behind. Last resort though, of course. Besides, I have no desire to soak everything I'm bringing, or try to muscle my chair up the grade to her house in this kind of downpour.

I turn on the wipers although they aren’t even helping with keeping the window clear. It takes a few minutes of basically feeling my way since it's impossible to actually see the road, but I finally make it to Anne’s and pull onto the driveway at the back of her cottage.

There's an old duffle bag under the passenger seat, and I grab it and stuff everything inside. Along with what I brought from my place, I add my flashlight, extra ammo for the .40, and the little emergency kit I kept stashed. So the food gets a little squished. One bag is much easier to carry than all of this separate. The chances of me dropping something important are highly likely, especially with this rain.

Hopping out, I roll towards the door, bag in my lap. The ramp gives me trouble, and my wheels skid. The rain and sand mixture is too slick. I grip the railing and use that to pull me up instead of just pushing the wheels.

My arms and shoulders are burning with pain, and I'm having to fight the rising wind, too. Finally, I reach the landing, soaked to the bone. Hopefully the duffle bag protected at least some of what I'd brought.

The door rattles under my hand, prompting me to check it. Damn, she's left it unlocked again. Hurricane or not, she’s getting a spanking. Third time she’s left it.

“Anne! Why the hell is this door unlocked again?” I cut right to the chase, needing her to remember. If she comes back with me, her forgetting something as simple as locking the damn door is not going to work out so well. The life I lead is not all rainbows and picket fences everywhere, and I won't compromise on my girl's safety.

“Blake! Hi!” She rolls up to me, excitement in her eyes and a smile on her lips. Then she notices the scowl on my face. I’m not at all happy and her innocent look isn’t going to change my mind either. She slows to a stop. Makes me wonder how much trouble that sweet as pie look has gotten her out of.

“What’s wrong?” Very aware of my attitude at the moment, she's quiet.

“Anne, go get on the couch. When I get there, you better have your panties off, too. And no touching yourself.” The memory of how much she enjoyed it last night prompts that last bit. This isn’t a reward.

She gives me an odd look, but slowly heads to the living room. Pacing back and forth, I to try to calm myself down. There's absolutely no doubt she's never done anything like this before and I'm not even sure it's the right time to introduce it. One thing is certain though. This being her first time being punished I don’t need to go off half-cocked and out of control. Her trusting me is the most important thing. Light spankings won’t hurt her, hell she might even like it. She surprises me every time I turn around.

She’s waiting for me, patiently, her shorts off to her side. I transfer, and ask her to come over to me, then have her lay down across my lap, face down, but turned slightly to the side. I lift up her long shirt, baring her small and firm ass. I rub it at first.

Her breathing picks up. “What are you doing?”

“Hush. No speaking. I warned you about locking the door, Anne. Do you know what could happen? What would I would go through if something happened to you?”

“I…”

Smack!
“Anne, you’re going to have to listen better.”
Smack, smack!
Three times, and she’s fidgeting. I rub her backside, massaging where my hand landed. It’s just a tint of pink, and the sight has me hard as a rock.

She whimpers, and arches into my hands. I’m turned on so bad, and need to know how this affects her. I slide my finger down to check, and she’s soaking wet. Fuck! Unable to resist giving my Anne what she needs, I slowly push one finger in. She moans loudly.

That’s where my control of the situation is lost. I flip her over to straddle me, at the same time unbuckling my pants. “Fuck! Anne. The condoms are in your room.”

“I’m on the pill, it’s easy to deal with.”

My forehead falls to hers. Slowing my breathing down, I try to think things through. “I’m clean Anne, and you’re the first girl I’ve been with since the accident. They did a full work up during that time.”

"Then what are you waiting for?" My sweet Anne, is getting braver each time. She starts grinding her hips on me, giving me the silent plea to continue.

Decision made, I lift her up, and slam her down on me, both of us losing our breath at the way it feels.

“Blake!” She screams out, causing me to freeze.

“You ok? Did I hurt you?” If I hurt her, I don’t know what I’d do.

“No, not hurt. Don’t stop please.” No more invitation needed, I kiss her hard and fast and grab her hips to help her. Several more thrusts and we both come apart.

“Anne? Did you learn anything today?” I brush her hair off her damp forehead. That was the hottest sex yet.

“Uhh, yes. Yes I did. If I forget to lock the door. I get the best sex in the world.” She says it with such enthusiasm.

Falling back on the couch, I can’t help but to laugh out loud. Little minx, she’s going to kill us both.

Anne:

Sometime later, I wake up. That was the hottest sex, and I can’t believe he spanked me. I’ve never been spanked before. But if it leads to that kind of sex, I might find little ways to act up.

The urge to pee
bad
, causes me to get up. Transferring as quietly as I can, I head for the bathroom.

“Anne! Where’d you go?” Blake sounds worried.

“Just a second, had to use the bathroom.” I wash my hands, then head back out. It’s late. I need to take my meds, those things always interrupt everything.

Thunder booms, startling me as I roll through my room.

“Fuck. Anne, I forgot. Earlier, the news was on. The hurricane that was supposed to pass us. It’s coming right at us now. They want everyone to leave. I have my truck out back. We can pack you up in it and leave your chair.”

“I’m not leaving my chair Blake.”

“I know it’s important to have, but we won’t be able to get help to us if we need anything.”

Stubborn girl defiantly shakes her head. “You can go, I’m staying here. No way in heck and am I leaving my chair behind.”

“Damn it Anne. Chairs are replaceable, you aren’t.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you cuss a lot?”

“Anne, no changing the subject. I’m not leaving you here on your own. So, if you’re not going to come with me, then I guess I’m staying right here.”

The storm is almost right on us now. The wind picked up overnight, blowing over everything. During a short lull in the rain, I take a look outside. The surf is downright nasty and I hope we don't get a big storm surge. The house is on pilings, but still.

I decide to tape up some of the windows. It might not help, but it’s better than doing nothing. I also need to close the storm shutters, and make sure everything else is safe as possible. I can’t believe I’ve decided to stay here. But Anne… I’ll ride it out with her. As long as I’m here I’ll know she’s safe.

Before I get started on the windows, I plug in all the electronics to charge in case we lose power. That's pretty certain here soon. Trees will be down on the lines.

Anne is still sound asleep. The past few days have worn my girl out. I need to remember that she needs more rest than most, but she’s just too addicting not to want all the time.

Anne could probably use some breakfast, and I know she has medicine she should have already taken. Heading to the kitchen I cook up some scrambled eggs and toast. It isn't easy to balance a tray and operate a wheelchair, but I manage it and roll to her room.

She’s peacefully sleeping. I could just sit and watch her sleep forever, at least until I had to kiss her awake to feed my addiction. But first, she needs food. “Anne, wake up for me. I brought you some breakfast.”

“Huh?” She stretches and turns over. Her smile is bright and cheerful.

I carefully sit it on the end up the bed and wait for her to sit up. “Here. I brought your medicine bag. I’m not sure which one’s you need.”

“Thank you. This looks delicious.” Taking a forkful, she starts eating. “Mmm these are really good. What’d you do different to them, they don’t taste like the kind I normally have.” She keeps eating.

I love watching her eat. And knowing she likes my cooking makes me proud of myself. I once thought this chair was a life sentence. But being with Anne, I know it’s not like that. I see life in a whole new outlook now. And I have Anne to thank for that.

“Silly girl, all I did was add cheddar cheese to it. Nothing fancy, still just an egg and toast.”

Just then the wind rattles the cottage. It really getting bad out there. Hopefully it passes and we make it through okay.

“Anne, try to hurry a little. Get a quick shower in case we lose power. I don’t want you to have to use cold water or shower in the dark.”

“Okay, that’s a good idea.”

“I’m going to watch the weather channel while we can. Call out if you need me.” I lean in and kiss her forehead.

I think I might be falling for her. Fuck. An ol' lady. Me, Hound. Who’d ever think that I’d finally would want to settle down for real? But Anne, she’s it for me. All I need to do is find out if I’m it for her.

Chapter Thirteen: Blake

Just as I had suspected, we lost power this evening. To save as much power for Anne’s chair as possible, I goof around and carry her on my lap around the cottage. We’re having a blast even in this very dangerous situation.

I spin and tip her down, like we’re ballroom dancing. Pulling her back up, I can’t resist those kissable lips of hers. I don’t push her, just want to stay close.

After a while, we settle down and move to the floor with a worn old Monopoly game she pulls out of a cupboard. It passes the time and gives us a chance to talk more. Besides, watching her kiss the dice before she rolls became a serious turn-on. She beats me, hands-down, of course.

With the game back in its faded and worn box, I sit back and hold her against my chest. Lost in my thoughts, I need to figure out a way to help her understand the club, and everything that it entails. If she’s going to be my ol' lady, she’ll have certain obligations with me being a full member, even if I just work on the support side of things now.

“What’s the matter Blake?” She notices my mood change, I suspect.

“Anne, we need to talk about a few things. And since we’re kind of stuck here, now’s as good of time as any.”

She turns to face me. “Okay. Is something wrong?”

“No, at least I hope there won’t be. I like you Anne. But my lifestyle isn’t like yours. It’s rougher, not innocent. It’s not the white picket fence and house with a dog and a handful of children type of lifestyle. Some things are dangerous I have to get into, and you’ll have trust me and the guys to protect you.”

“I kind of figured some of that out when your friends were here. I don’t care that what you do may be different from me, or that your so-called lifestyle isn’t the same as mine. It’s you I care about. It’s you I want to be with. All of that is part of you, makes you who you are. And… I love all of you.”