“Levi,” Ta-Mara said. “This is Jessie Mae’s daughter, Susie. Susie, my friend Levi.”
“Nice to meet you.”
She smiled at him, returned the greeting and tucked some hair behind her ears.
“Come help us unload some things.”
They worked well, carrying stuff inside the house and placing it on the kitchen table. While the outside might not be all that much to look at, the inside was spotless. As he placed the last bit from his arms to the table, a woman wheeled herself in the room.
“Jessie Mae,” Ta-Mara said, hurrying to her side and brushing a kiss along her cheek. “You should have called me. I would have gotten you.”
“Didn’t want to be a hassle. You know you didn’t have to do all this.”
“You know I did. We’re neighbors and friends. It’s the least I could do. And I’ve told Susie to call me if you need anything,
anything
else.”
He helped Susie put food away after being introduced to her mother. Jessie Mae had bandages around her face as well as left arm and leg. Still, it didn’t detract from her smile, which was infectious. She was bubbly and very outgoing. Both her and her daughter had the same look.
When he and Ta-Mara went back outside, he stopped her by the steps. “What happened to her?”
“She was T-boned by a truck. Driver had been drinking and blew the stop sign. She’s lucky to be alive. I honestly think if she didn’t have Susie to live for and take care of, she would have given up.”
“Where’s her husband?”
She gave a sharp bark of laughter. “That no good, philandering bastard is far from here. She married a first-class asshole. He bailed on them a long time ago when Susie was a baby. They struggle to get by and I help when I can. She’s a proud woman and doesn’t like to accept charity.”
“She needs a ramp built. How is she supposed to make it in and out of the house?”
She grabbed his arm. “You’re so right. Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll see what—”
“I can do it.”
She blinked at him. “What?”
“I can build it.” He glanced back to the house before guiding her to the SUV. “So long as you think they’ll be all right with me here. I’m a strange man.”
“You’re not strange. You came with me. You’re fine. Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Yes. I’ve been spending a lot of time on your computer. It would do me good to get out and do something physical while you’re working.”
“Okay, then we’ll go get some supplies for it and I’ll drop you off tomorrow before I go to work. You’ll have to walk home when you’re done. There’s a path through the woods”—she pointed past the shed—“that will take you right to the backyard and you can just go in the house.”
He loved how she said home, like he belonged there with her. He guided her to the driver’s side and caressed the swell of her ass. “I think you should drive. I don’t know where the store is.”
She took the keys from his pocket, ensuring to brush up against his groin. It got even harder when she cupped him through his jeans. “You’re probably right. Let’s go.”
He gripped her wrist and held her flush to him before she could slip into the seat. There was only so much a man could take. “Keep that up, Ta-Mara, and there will be a whole other kind of pounding going on.”
The tip of her tongue flashed out, dampening her lips. “I’ll remember that.” She jumped in with a wink.
Levi walked the long way around, readjusting himself to a more comfortable position before he entered the vehicle. She backed out the moment he buckled his belt. Music blared from the speakers as she raced off down the road. Yet all he could think of was how nice it would be to bend her over the back or front of the car, and slam his cock home in one smooth stroke. Take her hard and fast against the side of the Mariner until she screamed his name and couldn’t stand on her own any longer.
* * * *
“Screw it.” She pivoted then stared at him before grabbing his hand and pulling him along with her. All day, through getting the supplies and dropping them off at Jessie Mae’s, she’d been trying to keep control and not jump Levi. She’d given up trying.
“Ta-Mara.” Levi chuckled, a sensuous sound. “I recognize that look on your face.”
“Good. Then you know what I need.” She hurried them along to her bedroom.
“Yes. I’m yours any time, Ta-Mara.” Levi cupped her ass and squeezed.
She pushed back into his touch and yanked him into her bedroom. In quick movements, she stripped him and while he did the same to her, she kissed him. Levi slid his hand down her now naked stomach and she widened her legs. He stroked along her pussy lips then pushed into her. Ta-Mara arched into his touch.
This man know all my buttons to push. How does he know me so well?
She gripped his shoulder and lost herself his embrace.
* * * *
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Ta-Mara shifted from foot to foot.
Levi smiled patiently. “I’ll be fine. No need to worry about me. Go to work before you are late.”
It wasn’t until this morning that Ta-Mara thought of what his working on Jessie Mae’s ramp would mean. Levi would be alone with someone else without her near. In the weeks he’d been with her, she’d always been there when he was around other people or at least in the vicinity, yet today she was leaving him here alone. She was worried something would happen. She didn’t think he would slip up and say something that would make Jessie Mae or her daughter suspicious. Ta-Mara was more concerned he would disappear like he’d appeared, and that she would never see him again. She knew it was stupid. There’d been all those times she’d left him at her house when she went to work or to run other errands—but she couldn’t get over the irrational feeling. She’d started to think of her house as even more of a haven with him being there.
“Okay.” She gestured to his waist. “Call me if you need to.”
She’d got him a cell phone just in case he needed one.
“I will.” Levi kissed her briefly. “Have a great day at work.”
She nodded but didn’t reply since she already figured she would be too focused on him to care about her own day. Ta-Mara took her leave. She didn’t even register the ride to work and when she went inside, she did the opening procedures on auto-pilot. Throughout work, she glanced at the clock, willing time to pass quicker. That was how it was every minute and when she locked up for the night, she jumped in her car and headed home. When she pulled into her driveway, she sat there a moment.
Please let him still be here.
She got out and went up the steps. Ta-Mara placed her hand on the knob and took a breath before she pushed it open. The scent of cooking made her relax. Ta-Mara hurried to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. Levi was at the stove turning something in a frying pan. He glanced at her.
“Thought I heard you pull up.” He smiled. “How was your day?”
“A day.” She returned the smile and went to him. Ta-Mara kissed him then put her hand on his waist. “How about yours?”
“Good. Jessie Mae is a great lady—and her daughter too.” Levi turned back to the stove. “The ramp is going…”
Ta-Mara leaned against the counter and listened to the rumble of his voice. Calm seeped into her and she really hoped she would get over this fear of leaving him alone, or she’d be a raving mess soon.
* * * *
Ta-Mara rubbed the back of her neck. Another day of worrying what Levi was up to while wondering if leaving him alone was a mistake. Yet when she got home, all was well. She glanced at Levi and noted he was frowning at the stovetop grill. That reminded her of what she had planned for this evening.
“Levi, I’m gonna to teach you to cook.”
“I know how to cook.” Levi glanced at her. “I’ve been helping you prepare meals.”
“You’ve been doing what I said and not learning to cook a meal by yourself. I know that what we use is well…not what you might be used to.” Ta-Mara smiled gently. “Think of it as another lesson similar to driving. It’s a useful tool.”
Levi studied her then he nodded before coming over to her. “Thank you, Ta-Mara. You always seem to know what I need to know without me asking.”
“Anytime, Levi. But you do know if you need anything, you only need to ask. Okay. Let’s start with preparing the meat for the grill. I use a simple rub to make it taste great. I already put it on from yesterday so it could soak in. I’ll show you how to make it next time. So here’s the meat.” She held out the container.
Levi accepted it and they went to the stovetop grill. Ta-Mara gave him instructions for the whole meal and by the time they were finished, she smiled at Levi.
“Great first lesson.” Ta-Mara lifted the plate and headed to the table. “There are videos and such online we can get you to look at too. Oh…the Food Network is a station that can show you about cooking.”
“There is everything online or on TV these days.” Levi shook his head. “I find it so weird yet fascinating it is.”
“Sometimes it is a great tool but others times it can be dangerous.” Ta-Mara shrugged. “In my opinion, we are so used to being connected we forget sometimes about times when we were not.”
“Why would that be dangerous?” Levi set his plate down then went for the drinks.
“Because imagine if there is a time we don’t have technology, or we use the technology for things that hurt others.” Ta-Mara placed her dish on the table before sitting then placing her hand under her chin. “Like, for instance, there are videos on how to make bombs online.”
“Why would that be there?”
“Because someone put it there.”
“Isn’t there monitoring and so on?” Levi put the pitcher of sweet tea on the table then sat.
“There is, but the Internet is a vast thing and not everything there should be there. There are places that people can find things if they want to.” Ta-Mara picked up her fork.
“Hmmm…it makes you wonder if simpler times are better.” Levi took a bite of his food. “A time when this technology you speak of didn’t make things as accessible.”
“It’s a matter of what you think of as simple.” Ta-Mara set her fork down. “I’m not saying having technology isn’t valuable. What I’m saying is sometimes it’s nice to disconnect from it. Like for example, when I was growing up, any sort of phones at the dinner table was a no-no.”
“I noticed you always leave your cell off during dinner. I didn’t know why.”
“That’s why. I guess it stuck with me and I kept it.” Ta-Mara smiled. “Another thing that stuck is when you are spending time with someone, you shouldn’t be texting, looking at your cell and email or so on. That’s rude and distracts you from really being in the present.”
“So there are both positives and negatives to this modern time and to the simpler times.” Levi looked thoughtful. “Yeah, I can agree with that. Life, no matter what time you are in, has its own ups and downs. It is up to each person to make their decisions on what they do. Just like you decide to turn off your cell while having dinner.”
“Exactly.” Ta-Mara resumed eating.
“Thanks for starting to teach me to cook”—Levi touched her hand—“and your insight into this conversation. I am finding it interesting learning about all these new things.”
“Good.” She ate and they chatted about his day then hers.
* * * *
Ta-Mara stood beneath the shower and rinsed her hair. It had been a long day and she couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so glad to leave the bookstore. Such a thing wasn’t common. She loved it there. But today had just been draining all the way around.
Levi had been over at Jessie Mae’s for the past few days, building the ramp as well as fixing odds and ends that needed to be done. Each day leaving him had become easier but still, by the day’s end, she was eager to get home to see him. The lessons to cook had continued and Levi was picking it up well. As the days progressed, Levi had changed a bit as he worked at Jessie Mae’s. From his happiness and the way he spoke, it was clear he loved working and doing something productive. Their nights had also differed a bit more. While she might normally sleep alone, there were nights where they spent the time together on the floor before a fireplace, in the living room or even on the screened porch. This morning she’d woken in his arms outside on the upstairs screened porch where they’d gone from watching the moonrise over the trees to making love while the rich scents from the numerous flowers and surrounding plants filled the air.
Shutting off the shower, she wrung all excess water from her hair before stepping from the stall. She tied her towel on and stood before the sink, staring at her foggy reflection. It didn’t take her long to put the oil in her hair and brush it out.
She stopped by her walk-in closet, grabbed a loose-fitting outfit then continued to her bedroom. Draping the items over her bed, she sat on the bench positioned at the end of the four-poster frame.
Stifling a yawn, she bent down to put lotion on her legs and paused. Lying on the carpet beneath the seat sat a book. The temperature in the room dropped considerably and she fought off a shudder.
“How did you get in here?” she asked, even as she moved to sit in a different chair.
Moving swiftly, she applied her remaining lotion then dressed. She rubbed her arms, wondering if she should change into something with sleeves.
“Just get out of the room,” she uttered.
The entire thing didn’t feel right and she made her way to the door, the chill increasing. She found she couldn’t leave, however and turned back to the bench. Shaking her head at herself, she marched back over.
“This is insane. I’ve never been scared of a book before, much less one that doesn’t have a legible cover or even an
end
. It’s not even a full book.”
Her pep talk didn’t help and she hesitated before crouching down. Reaching out, she touched the faded paper. The sensation of being sucked in, like into a vacuum, hit her with the force of a typhoon.
The woman was tall and willowy with smooth brown skin. Her loose natural curls blew in the wind that whipped around. Thick trees as far as the eye could see added an element of eeriness to the otherwise peaceful scene. The woman wore a shabby blue dress but none of it detracted from her beauty. She stood there, head high, a proud and almost haughty expression on her face—although the features weren’t clear—as she stared straight ahead at something only she could see.