SAGE (5 page)

I heard a knock at the door.

It was a lodge attendant. She came quick.  I picked up the money and tossed it in my shoulder bag. I took a deep breath, put a smile on my face, and then opened the door. She came in with fresh linens and bedding that smelled like morning sunshine and crisp fresh air. She made the bed fast, left extra linens, and then refused my tip. She said gratuity was included.

I locked the door behind her.

I had time to think.

I took the banded stack of money out my bag.

I should give it to Ramsey for his trouble. 

I tossed the money in a chair.

It bounced and landed on the floor. I left it there. It wasn’t like it would go anywhere. I washed my hands and then put the little tea kettle on the cast iron plate. I loved this cabin. I bit my lip. I thought about Ramsey. He looked good in the fitted thermal shirt and dark denims.

His jet black hair was longer.

It curled around his collar.

I wanted to grab fistfuls of it. 

He could fuck me against his motorcycle.

I felt the familiar tingle between my legs. 

I thought about the almost kiss.

His lips were still sexy.

His scent was familiar.

I loved that sandalwood and earthy spice. 

I felt the heat in the snug part of my jeans. 

I closed my eyes and remembered how he did it.

My panties were wet at the thought of him.

I had to touch myself.

I couldn’t help it.

I unbuttoned my jeans and yanked them down.

My nipples hardened. 

I took off my clothes and sat down in the chair

I spread my legs and touched my swollen clit.

I caressed it. I felt the heat. It didn’t feel like Ramsey. I wanted him. I increased the pace. I needed him. I was frantic to come.

My thighs were wet.

I felt it.

The sensation grew.

I had to rub harder.

I was about to.

I needed it.

I heard the sound.

My eyes flew open.

I sat up as the sound grew louder.

I went to the curtain and peeked out.

Ramsey parked and got off his motorcycle.

Damn it! I picked up my clothes.

I heard the knock on the door.

I threw the clothes on the chair.

I grabbed a sheet and tucked it around me.

He knocked harder.

I unlocked the door but kept it cracked.

“Let me in.” His voice was edged with anger. 

“I can’t.”  I said. “Did something happen?”

“Open the door.” His eyes locked on mine.

I stepped behind the door and opened it wide.

Ramsey came inside.

I’m sure he noticed I didn’t have on clothes.

He ignored me and went in the bathroom.

The kettle whistled. I set it aside.

Ramsey walked over to me.  “Where is he?”

“Who?” I gathered the sheet tighter.

He glared at me.

Oh now I get it. “Scott isn’t here.”  

Ramsey came for me. 

I stood my ground.  

“I can smell you.” He growled.

“Get out.”  My chest heaved.

He grabbed my wrist.

“Were you thinking about me?”

He ran his mouth across my hand.

You still taste fucking amazing.”

“Ramsey please...” 

“Please what.” He grabbed my hair. 

I tried not to moan.

He knows what it does to me.

He ripped the sheet off me. 

My body trembled in pleasure

“Why didn’t you come home?” 

His eyes caressed me. 

“We were done.”  I told him.

“We’ll never be done.”

He kissed my neck.

My nipples grazed the rough fabric of his shirt.

I moaned. “Please…”  

He buried his face in my hair.

“Please what?” He said my name like only he could.

Ramsey fisted my hair and my hips jerked.

I was ready to submit but I was still mad.

I saw him with her that night and lost it.

He pushed me and I fell.

I broke my tailbone.

I stabbed him in the shoulder. I’m not sorry.

He shouldn’t have picked her.

I wouldn’t give in.  “Go back to what’s her name.” 

He laughed. “You know there’s no her. You broke up with me, came to my place, saw me fucking some random woman and then you wanted me. I couldn’t let you hurt her. She wasn’t involved in our shit.”

I ignored what he said. “You were still mine.” 

“Well you shouldn’t have left me.” 

“Billy was…” 

The look on his face made me stop mid- sentence.

“You can feel whatever you want but this will be done my way and you’ll come home. Do you understand?”

I nodded and he gave me a rough kiss.

I moaned against his lips.

I wanted him to fuck me liked he missed me. He threw my leg around him. He touched me there and I felt it to my core. I trembled against his lips. He dropped to his knees and put my legs over his shoulder. He lifted me. I felt the coolness of the wall against my back and the unbearable heat between my legs. He glanced up at me and then covered my pussy with his mouth.

He gripped my butt tighter.

His teeth grazed my clit as he sucked.

It was the right amount of pressure and pain.

Oh fuck. I gushed. 

He licked through the wetness.

“Please Ramsey… I need it.” 

He stood up and unbuckled his belt.

There was a hard knock on the door.

He glanced at me.

“Scott said he would take me to dinner.” 

The anger flashed across his face. 

“What did you tell him?” 

“No but then he mentioned Billy.”

Ramsey went to the door.

I grabbed the sheet.

He opened it.

Scott’s men were on the porch. 

“The boss is expecting her.”

Ramsey leaned against the door frame. 

“She’s busy.”  

They glanced at each other.

Ramsey laughed.

“Yeah make a call and figure it out.” 

He closed the door.  

“You know I have to go.” 

He shrugged. “All these choices are for Billy.” 

I got defensive. “Well I didn’t ask you to come.”

“You did.” He glanced at me

I forgot about the call.

I lowered my head in shame.

I felt him in front of me.

“Ramsey I  ...” 

He lifted my chin and kissed me.

I could taste me on his lips. 

He broke our kiss. “Tell me later darlin” 

“Alright.” I blushed.

“I don’t know where Scott will take me.”

“Do you have your phone?”

“Yes but his men took all the money except that.”

I motioned to the stack on the floor.

“He’s trying to manipulate you.” 

Ramsey shook his head. “We can end this, just say the word. I’ll kill these two outside, take care of Scott, and get your money.”

“Ramsey.” I said softly.

“Alright.” He caressed my face

“But it might come to that.” 

“I understand.”  I gazed up at him.

Ramsey smiled. “I talked to Billy.” He ran it down to me. He was right. It did sound like a set-up and Billy should’ve walked away for it. The job was too sweet to be true. I knew Brian would find out what he could.

Milo and Billy have been friends a long time.

I didn’t think he set Billy up but we’re all criminals.

Ramsey said he’d wait outside so I could get right.

He glanced over his shoulder. 

He didn’t have to say it.

Scott didn’t have a chance with me.

I know who I belonged to.

Ramsey reminded me where home was. 

He left and closed the door behind him.

I went to the window and peeked out the curtain. 

Ramsey sat on the porch steps.

He stared at the men waiting for me.

I laughed. They were terrified of him.

I left him to it.  I felt different. Better. 

I always felt safe with Ramsey.

I took a shower and ran through my routine. I put on a navy blue dress. The thick cotton layers in the skirt would keep me warm even though my legs were bare. I put on my favorite cowboy boots and then brushed my hair into a ponytail. I didn’t use a lot of make-up in general but I put on lip gloss. I ran the mascara brush across my lashes. It was cooler out. I decide to put on my brown sweater under the denim jacket.

I came outside.

Ramsey stood up.

I can tell my outfit met his approval.

I locked the front door and gave him the keys.

He was satisfied.

My small act of submission was enough.

He walked down the steps and past the men.

“She better be in the same condition I left her in.”

They watched him.

He didn’t talk much.

It wasn’t needed.

He sat on his motorcycle and waited. 

The men opened the truck door.

I got inside.

I heard the motorcycle roar.

The men got into the truck. A few seconds later we drove down the road. I heard the motorcycle behind us. It was comforting. We went down to the main resort area. Scott waited. Ramsey coasted to a stop in front of him. I shook my head and laughed. He made Scott walk around him. Scott slid into the backseat beside me. He closed the door and we left the resort. I didn’t ask where we were headed. I didn’t care. I stared out the window. I want Ramsey. That’s it. Billy was making it hard to love him. I tried my best to raise him. I had to re-raise myself and that shit didn’t turn out too well. Scott watched me. I can tell he wanted conversation. He sat here with his expensive clothes, wearing his expensive cologne like it would give him confidence. Ramsey.

My thoughts were on him. His presence made women soak their panties. Men wanted to fight him. He wasn’t afraid to get hurt. Billy was always out to impress him. Ramsey told him the outlaw life wasn’t for him. He should go to school and get a job. Billy asked me. I told him the same. He’s been trying to prove us wrong ever since.

The truck drove down a secluded road.

I glanced at Scott.

“You’ll love it.” He smiled. “Trust me.” 

There wasn’t anything about him I trusted. The truck pulled to stop minutes later. Scott got out and held the door for me. What a gentleman this one is. I slid out of the truck. The restaurant was beautiful.

I tried to keep my face neutral.

“I knew you’d like it.”

“It’s alright.” I shrugged.

Scott laughed. “Please after you.”  

We went inside.

The gentle sound of water from the fountain had a calming effect on me. I looked up at the oversized wooden beams. The grand staircases spiraled up to the next level. I saw the beautiful balcony with fresh flowers and more cozy tables. The atmosphere was perfect. I wouldn’t tell Scott that.

“I can tell you like it.” He murmured in my ear.

This asshole.  I put distance between us.

The hostess seated us.

Scott held my chair for me.

I politely sat. I didn’t want to make a scene.

He wouldn’t be thanked for forcing me into a date.

The table was elegant. I liked the arrangement.

We checked the menu.

I ignored all of Scott’s recommendations.

I ordered a steak and salad.

The waiter left our table.

Scott asked how much I loved my brother. 

I told him enough to kill. We stopped the conversation when the waiter returned. He poured the wine and left again. My questions to Scott came low and quick. He didn’t answer them but asked about Ramsey instead. I gave him a sweet laugh. I said we had history. Scott asked how far back did we go. I told him a long time. I said it with a sexy sigh. It was a non- verbal fuck you. Scott said if I was important he would’ve heard of me. I looked away with a fake confused expression. I tried not to smile. This thing wasn’t about Billy. He wanted Ramsey.