13 comments/  49739 views/  21 favorites

Ready Ch. 01

By: driphoney



Authors note: It's a first story. Thanks for reading. Votes and feedback are very welcome. Many people deserve credit for going the extra hundred miles in helping me, yet, without permission, I can't name them, but you know who you are and thanks goes not cover it. AsylumSeeker, editor extraordinaire, you did the heavy lifting on this chapter, it's as much yours (the good parts) as mine (any and all bad). Heartfelt thanks. x

*

He stared at her from across a crowded room and thought with amused irony of that cliché. He acknowledged that he really did want her, but there was a history and the having wouldn't be so easy. Most of the evening had been a mild case of cat and mouse as she had carefully avoided him. But that was about to change. 

His brother was organizing a game of Pictionary and he would be on her team. He would make sure of it. His brother had always been a nerd and had a habit of attracting nerds and geeks. Kevin welcomed the change from his usual rough, back-pounding, ass-grabbing, manly-men as geeks and nerds tended to be kinder, and show a deeper compassion. Their lives were usually not so charmed as their more culturally favored and shallower brethren. And he might be in need of some compassion before the night was over.

He observed the look of fearful surprise on her face as he sat beside her on the loveseat and decided he had his work cut out for him if, indeed, he was going to make any progress tonight.

"Hey," he acknowledged her with a smile.

"Hi."

He watched an almost shy look enter her eyes and he knew she was remembering the last time they were together all those years ago, when she had almost come on his leg. He felt an exhilarating tingle in his groin, but he could see she felt shame. An unfamiliar feeling of guilt seeped into him as he recalled learning shortly afterward that her mother was dying and the realization of how unstable she must have been that night in the kitchen, the inner anguish she must have been feeling. 

He had never gotten to apologize, or say how sorry he was. Now was not the time for that, however; he needed to make her comfortable. Something inside was drawing him to her and he wasn't in the mood to hold back.

"James didn't mention you were in town," she said.

Did he hear a slight accusation in her voice? "Would you have come if you had known?" 

"Probably not."

She was always honest, he would give her that.

"Then I'm glad you didn't know. I would've hated missing you," he replied with a warm and open look. He could tell she didn't know how to take his remark. A look of surprised bewilderment moved across her face and he almost laughed out loud. He couldn't blame her, but the game had changed, she just didn't know it yet.

Before they could say any more James drew their attention, starting the game. Forty minutes later Deonne was in a pitiful struggle attempting the most basic drawing which looked to Kevin to be somewhere between the scribbled attempts of a two year old and a kindergartener's first try with a pencil. She was awful, and oh, so frustrated with herself. 

Kevin had almost tuned the game and other players out he was so enchanted by her anxious, worried attempts. He had forgotten the energy and excitement that poured through him whenever she was near. She was a fighter, and a winner. She did not like to lose as he knew from card games at the Anderson's, back in college. He was just glad he was not the one to blame for their sorry score, because he would hate to see her inward frustration turned towards him. At least not tonight.

"Dancing," he tried guessing, knowing he was looking for an action word, only to see her earnest, almost tearful shakes of the head while jabbing her pencil at two slashes and a circle on her paper.

"Twirling."

Deonne's eyes gave a worried glance at the egg timer. They only had two seconds. It was killing her.

"Time!" James's latest squeeze, Cherise, shouted as she stood up to throw her hands in the air and shake her bootie in a little victory dance. Cherise was a fine arts major, James had been cartooning since he was seven. They were deadly.

Deonne slouched back against the couch, defeated.

"Stabbed," she mumbled.

"Stabbed?" Wow. He would never have gotten there. "It's just a game, you know."

"Yeah." The kid in her was struggling with the adult and it was very cute.

Kevin stood up and held his hand out to her.

"C'mon. Let's get something to drink."

He waited, holding his breath to see if she would take it, and smiled a little knowing smile as she did without a thought. Pulling her up, he made sure to tug a little too hard so that her body brushed against his. He felt an awareness move over his skin and watched her carefully. There. Her eyes darted up to his face before skittering away, but he caught that fleeting look of desire. Oh, yeah. It's still there.

He pulled her through the crowd, not letting go of her hand as they made their way through the maze of people to James's little kitchen. He wasn't surprised when she chose a Dr. Pepper; some things definitely never changed. He grabbed a beer; no, some things didn't.

Working her way out of the kitchen she bumped and pushed around the small dining table to the balcony, the only unoccupied spot she could find. Kevin followed, realizing that to everyone else he was giving the impression of marking territory, and he was, but he hoped Deonne did not pick up on it or it would be over before it started.

"How long have you been in Norfolk?" He leaned his arms against the middle of the balcony rail looking out over the parking lot so she could only get so far from him. Deonne moved into a corner, as far from him as possible.

"I'm not, I'm at Oceana," she replied. She was watching him and the leeriness had returned. It would be so easy to bait her, but he wasn't going there. Not tonight, anyway.

"So, I guess you never married... Jared, was it?" Sissy-boy. He didn't say it, but he couldn't help thinking it.

This brought a smile.

"No, we broke up shortly after it began. He sure gave you a lot of material, though, didn't he? And what about what's-her-name, The Trophy? I don't see her here tonight, is she home keeping the kids?" She smiled even wider.

That brought out his own smile and a burst of laughter. The Trophy. Such an undeserving name for such a lovely girl and he had forgotten.

He shook his head. "Shawntee had bigger plans for her life than being trapped in a backwater army town with an underpaid ground pounder who was never home. I couldn't blame her." 

He had been crushed when Shawntee had gently let him down. She didn't love him and was too smart to let it go on. Eventually he had realized her wisdom as he discovered his pride was more wounded than his heart. Thanks Shawntee.

"Well, Sissy-boy is history. Do you have some flyboy stuck, pining for you, on a carrier somewhere?" He had to ask. If there was competition he had to know about it, even if it made him look silly playing the Are You Seeing Anyone game.

"If only," she answered wryly. It was hard to get even a date when you spent all your time around the only men you saw, working hard to be one of the guys, to fit in, a girl in a man's world. Her feminine self-esteem had taken a hard beating.

The conversation died and, turning, Kevin shifted closer to her. He once again felt the pull of his body towards her, that responsiveness that couldn't be denied. But, this time he noticed the hint of a feeling he couldn't quite put his finger on. 

He took in her slender form, the delicate curve of her neck around which hung a fine silver chain holding a small pendant that lay nestled at the base of her throat. Her shoulders were bare and as she lifted her drink he could see a supple hidden strength. He swore that he could almost smell her shampoo and fought back an unexpected, almost overwhelming urge to bury his face in her short brown tresses and run his hands down those sun-kissed shoulders. She was wearing her thick hair even shorter these days, no doubt as a concession to her job, like many military women. Looking back at her face his eyes caught hers and he held them.

Deonne gazed back, she couldn't look away from his brown eyes, so dark they were almost black. He had always made her feel awkward and skittish, tuned into his strength, confidence and latent sexuality, like she wasn't quite good enough for him. At the same time her body would hum with desire. Tonight, for some reason,  perhaps because he is turning on the charm, she thought dryly, none of the awkwardness remained. 

She wondered if she moved closer maybe he would kiss her. She slid her eyes down to those full, oh-so-kissable lips. Without realizing it she licked her own remembering how they felt on hers, such soft lips on such a tough man. Now those lips pulled back slightly at the corners, transforming his face from serious to open amusement.

"You look like you want something." He placed his hands on either side of her and brought his face within inches of hers. "Do you want something, sweetheart?"

"No." She tried to give him a straight face as she replied, but she couldn't stop her eyes from twinkling.

"Liar." His small movement closer was barely discernable, but Deonne suddenly found it hard to breathe.

She smiled as she whispered in her best Scarlet O'Hara impersonation, "Why, what on earth would I be wantin'?"

"Me."

With that Kevin placed his lips on hers, just barely touching, as if to savor this first contact, but Deonne needed more and pushed into him, demanding a complete joining. They met only at the lips and yet a wave of need rushed through her body. His tongue slid between her teeth caressing hers, bringing a whimper. 

They stayed like that, mouths rubbing against each other, tongues meeting and mating. Reality was so much better than a faded memory. Kevin pulled away slightly and took her bottom lip, licking it and pulling it into his mouth, nibbling on it, before releasing it. Deonne never noticed the moan that came from her, but Kevin did.

Pulling back, he watched as Deonne slowly opened her eyes and enjoyed the pleasure he saw there as his breathing become more measured and his body returned to the balcony.

"We better get out of here before James forces us into a game of Twister."

Deonne couldn't help herself, she giggled.

"You are so bad, Kevin Banning."

"What you talkin' 'bout? Me?" He put his hand over his heart. "I'm so good pictures come back with halos over my head! Look in the dictionary under good and see if you don't find Kevin Marcus Banning right there."

"Delusional, too."

Deonne wasn't sure she appreciated the amused look James gave them as they said their good-byes before heading to her car, but she played the dutiful girl role and pretended to not see it.

"So, what do you want to do?" she asked as she watched him figure out the seatbelt.

His answer was nothing but a huge smile.

"You know a good girl like me doesn't put out for the first date... and this isn't even a date!" She smiled and shook her head, and then tried again, "Where do you want to go?" Looking at him, she got her answer.

"Right. Anyone ever tell you that you have a one track mind?"

He just kept smiling.

"My place is almost an hour away, it's too far to go there and bring you back tonight."

"I don't think that'll be a problem."

"Did you not hear that part about putting out?"

"Did you not hear that part about me being good?" he came back, looking incredulous. "I promise I won't do anything tonight you don't want to do. Don't you have a couch?"

"You've been feeding women that line since high school." She gave him a sidelong glance as she pulled out of the parking space.

"Let's go walk on the beach," she suggested. That would be safe, right? Give me time to figure out what was going on.

"Sure."

*****

One hour and twelve minutes later Deonne found herself in her own bed, flat on her back, buck naked with a very sexy, very naked, very hard Kevin Marcus Banning on top of her doing the most delicious things to her ear and neck. If she had time to think straight, and she didn't, she would tell him to get off of her and remember what she said about being a good girl. But all she could think about right now was how good it felt to be naughty, how amazing it was to feel his breath on her neck as he licked and kissed his way down her collarbone and continued on down her chest before opening those sensuous full lips over her pink tip.

"Oh, God, Kev."

She didn't know whether to grip his head and encourage him to suck harder or grab her other breast to make sure he didn't leave it out, but when she felt his hand move over the lonely twin and bring it closer to his hungry mouth the decision was taken from her and her hands held his head, pulling it towards her. 

Kevin licked and sucked on one tight nub before switching to its sister giving equal, lavish treatment and making Deonne start to believe you could have an orgasm just having your tits mauled. Her legs wrapped around him and her pelvis rocked forward, rubbing her clit on anything it could find, demanding relief.

Leaning back from her breasts Kevin looked with ardent appreciation at the tight buds resting on the full, soft cushions, squeezing and tweaking, reluctant to leave them before kissing his way down her midriff. He felt her legs tighten and her hands tugging on his head as his lips approached her trimmed mound. Glancing up at her he was surprised to see an embarrassed smile on her lips and shyness in her eyes. Shy was not a word he ever connected to Deonne, but she was definitely looking reticent.

"What?" he asked her.

"Umm..." She seemed unable to produce more than that.

He ran his hand down her stomach and she let him place it between her legs and rub his thumb over her clit, but the grip around his chest never let up and her fingers were starting to dig into the side of his head.

"C'mon," he coaxed. "Let me see you. I want to make you feel good. I want to taste you. I bet you taste like honey."

Deonne giggled, she couldn't help herself, but she didn't let up and the shyness remained, though his thumb was making an incredible impression.

"You're not a virgin, are you?" He assumed with a smile.

"No, well, not really, but, well..." she answered before quickly running out of steam, then took a breath and continued her stumbling, "I don't... I mean, well, I don't have much. Experience, that is. Not like everyone probably thinks. I never, you know, well, nobody ever..."

She completely gave up and sent Kevin a pleading look. Her desire was quickly fading and morbid embarrassment was starting to take over.

Kevin knew the game was up, at least momentarily. It had been a long time since this had happened to him and it was surprisingly refreshing, if frustrating. He moved back up her body, his dick bumping into her pussy. She didn't seem to mind that and he took encouragement from it. Now was his turn to place both his hands on either side of her face, albeit more gently than her nervous clawing.

"Hey, it's okay. It's nothing to be ashamed of, just the opposite. I just thought you had a boyfriend or two, so assumed, you know, things."

He leaned down and kissed her gently.

"So, nobody's ever... kissed you down there before?"

She shook her head. Kevin couldn't believe how excited he was at the thought he would be the first one, the only one to see her spread before him, to lick those tender folds. His cock twitched at the prospect and he pulled back slightly, not wanting to scare her off.  What kind of idiots were her past boyfriends?

"Baby, I want to see you. You can't believe how exciting that is for a man. I'm sure it's just as beautiful as the rest of you."

He kissed her again, but she interrupted.

"What if it's not? What if I look weird or ugly, not like all the other girls?"

Kevin barked out an incredulous laugh and Deonne bit her lip.

"Oh, baby! Are you serious? You don't have anything to worry about there. You aren't going to look like other girls, you're going to look like you and I love the way you look, all of you. It's not possible I'm not going to love what I see. So, I'm beggin' ya', let me look, let me make you feel good."

His kiss was gentle as he let his lips slide over her before letting it grow deeper, longing taking control. Shifting slightly, he put a hand to her breast, fondling and stroking the sensitive button as he heard her small moan. Feeling her relax and melt into the caress, he moved his hand down between her legs, gently rubbing it back and forth, waiting. Dipping his head he kissed her nipple, sucking and lapping on it, before returning to her lips, tangling his tongue with hers.

Kevin felt her pelvis move slightly against his hand as if she needed more, and he ran his long middle finger against her slit before pushing it between the lower lips. He groaned when he felt the wetness burst over his fingers, the inexperienced lips had been holding in the moisture as if keeping her desire secret, saving her from herself. Thrusting his finger into the opening, he pulled it out and pushed in two fingers, wetting them for the task to come. Next, he slid those two digits over her clit giving gentle but firm pressure.

Deonne's hands were on his head again, this time pulling him into her, encouraging his attention, hips moving in blatant encouragement.

Kevin stopped kissing and leaned back, his fingers still rubbing her excited, swollen nub. Waiting until she opened her eyes, he held her look with his own lust-filled gaze and pushed one of her legs out, then rising up he spread the other with his knee, his eyes never leaving hers. She was now wide open to him, and her hips were still humping his fingers, searching for that elusive gratification. Her breath was coming in short, deep bursts.

"Kev."

His hands slid down and over her legs, holding them apart as he moved down, bringing his face over her pussy. He felt her nervous but hungry eyes watching him as he took in her wet, pink folds.

"So lovely," he murmured, almost to himself, his attention completely held by the view in front of him.

His hands caressed her inner legs as they moved up to the apex. His thumb brushed over her clit while two fingers from his other hand pushed into her, feeling her muscles enfold and grip him. Tight. He couldn't wait to shove his now throbbing cock deep into this moist, satin sanctuary. 

He watched her pussy responding to his attention. Unable to wait any longer Kevin leaned closer, inhaling her scent, before replacing his thumb with his lips over her pulsating clit in a reverent kiss.

Deonne lifted her head, unable to take her eyes off what he was doing between her legs. She watched as Kevin pulled back slightly, licking around that swollen bump. Deonne could not believe how erotic it was to have her legs spread wide, to give herself up and lay in this most vulnerable position with Kevin Banning taking the privilege. Heat moved up her body as she saw him touch his tongue to her most hidden, private place. Feeling his soft, wet tongue messaging her screaming knot of nerves combined with the visual stimulation was bringing her so close to the edge, so fast. Dear God, he is amazing.

"That feels wonderful."

"Like that? It gets better, watch this," he said before placing his lips fully over her clit and kissing it just like he did her mouth, sucking and stroking.

"Mm ... mmm ... mmm." Her teeth clamped over her bottom lip, trying to control herself, to keep the feelings that were overwhelming her from pouring out. Pulling back, Kevin continued to thrust his fingers into her pussy.

"C'mon, don't hold it in, I wanna hear how good this feels. Let go, baby."

Putting his mouth back over her pussy, he started kissing her in earnest, this time he letting his teeth gently scrape over her clit.


Ready Ch. 01



"Oh, God, Kevin. So, good, so... good."

Her hips were now jerking up, thrusting her clit into his face and her legs were fighting his hands, not to keep him out, but to hold him in place.

"Like... that... oh, God..." her voice was stuttering, her lungs inhaling with every upward thrust of her hips.

"I'm gonna, I need to..." She was so close, so close.

Kevin was banging his tongue hard on her clit, nibbling and batting, sucking hard, his fingers driving hard and fast into her crevice.

Deonne cried out as her climax tore through her, hips humping against him so powerfully she almost gave him whiplash, but he never wavered, keeping his mouth anchored fast between her legs, sending out continuous waves of sensations.

He had to be in her. It was the culmination of what earlier began as a seed of desire lying before him, a prize he would have not laid odds on. Before she finished absorbing the shock of her orgasm, Kevin was over her, his wet mouth demanding, giving her a taste of herself. His iron-hard cock stretched her sopping slit before driving into her pulsing channel.

"Kev. Kev ... we can't," Deonne was gasping at him, her pussy gripping and pushing back on his throbbing rod, a piston providing perfect friction against her swollen pink walls. Slowly what she was saying penetrated into Kevin's brain.

Shit! Fuck!

Kevin stopped thrusting, letting his cock rest in her warmth, reluctant to pull out. He hung his head, his mouth next to her ear as he fought for air.

"Jesus. Forgot the damn condom," he whispered, chiding himself more than anything. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it as soon as I can talk myself into leaving you for a sec."

Soon he was rummaging frantically through his jeans and tearing the offending wrapper off a condom, his fingers shaking as he shoved it over his cock and pushed back into her inviting folds.

"Oh, God. You feel so good," she whispered as he filled and stretched her.

"Yeah, I do. I feel so fuckin' good, it's unbelievable." He smiled at her, content for the moment just to be back inside her.

Deonne wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his chest and Kevin thought maybe Deonne's real name was Heaven, 'cause he surely was experiencing it now. Moving her arm around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss, this time thrusting up her lips, her tongue urgently seeking his.

Kevin lifted up, needing to watch his cock thrust into her. She was so tight as she stretched over him and when he pulled out her pale pussy clung to him, refusing to let go, and her engorged inner walls milked him trying to draw out his thick cream. 

God, he fuckin' hated this goddamn condom, he wanted to feel her skin against him and splash his come all over her insides. The only good thing about it was that he might last longer than a horny teenager with the thick membrane dulling the sensation. He just returned from over a year in Afghanistan and hadn't been with a woman for longer than that, and Deonne wasn't just any woman, she was a fuckin' fantasy. He couldn't remember how many times he'd jacked off thinking of her after that fiasco in the kitchen.

He felt her pussy clamping down harder and harder and he picked up his pace, reaching up to tweak her nipple, remembering her excited response to his stimulation earlier. Deonne immediately added moaning to her repertoire. Oh, yeah, this girl liked that.

Deonne reached around him grabbing at his ass, her fingers digging in, pushing, urging him to work her harder, faster, and he was more than ready to oblige, her moans and little wails driving him. Soon he was driving into her.

"Like that don't you, baby?"

"Oh, God," was all she could gasp, he was filling her up, bumping her cervix.

"You never had a cock like this one before, have you?"

He was pounding in her so hard she was moving up the bed and Kevin put his hand on the headboard to stop their advance. She didn't answer him. She was so caught up in the squeezing of her body and the friction of his hardness. Pleasure beyond anything she had ever felt was taking over, way better than the self-pleasure she usually contented herself with, and more encompassing than any of her few attempts with other men, which she had thought were pretty good until now.

But Kevin wanted an answer.

"Have you?"

"God no," she breathed out between pants, "nothing like yours... nothing like this... ah... ah... ahhhh!" She came apart, her body shaking, muscles clamping all over her; arms, legs, pussy convulsing as her massive orgasm raged all through her.

Feeling her body trembling and gripping his, watching her face give that pleasurable grimace that lets a man know his woman has truly gotten off, Kevin felt his balls tightening, his cock preparing itself for firing. He growled out as his own climax overtook him. Shot after shot of come tore through his shaft as his cock brutalized her cunt.

The storm over, Kevin gave a few more slower strokes, pushing the final drops out into the condom.

"Ah, Jesus," he sighed as he lifted up off her. A quiet laugh came out and he shook his head as he realized he didn't have the strength to hold himself up, his legs were quivering and he carefully fell to her side before pulling the worn-out condom off his still-turgid cock.

"That was incredible," Deonne managed to gasp.

Lying beside her, Kevin turned his head towards her and a big smile spread across his face.

"Told ya I was good."

She stared back at him with a chagrined look and then her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Let me see."

Deonne rolled over, leaned down and licked his rounded deltoid. The muscles of his arms and shoulders were like the rest of him, toned to perfection, and Deonne felt a giddy excitement spark through her at being allowed to touch and look at any part of it.

"Mmm."

Kevin looked at her as if he doubted her sanity.

"What are you doin'?"

Enjoying the deltoid so much she traveled up over his shoulder, moaning as if having a tasty treat, which she swore she was, a slightly salty treat, but this was definitely more fun than she expected. Finally, she settled at his neck, kissing, licking and sucking.

"I always wondered, now I know."

By now Kevin was enjoying himself as much as she was, and he wrapped his arm around her snuggling body, running his hand over her hip and stopping on her buttock.

"Know what?"

"How you taste. I always thought your skin looked just like Dove milk chocolate and wondered if it tasted as good." She bent and licked him again.

"Well?"

"Better," she murmured before getting back to the task at hand.

"Baby, if you like this part, then I got a real treat for you. Wait 'til you taste my chocolate bar."

"Honey, I can't wait... but that thing's been... marinating in poison and needs serious detox before I can... get near it," but she sounded unconcerned and was acting it too as she slowly kissed a path from his neck up his jaw to his lips.

"Hey, you tasted this part before," he teased.

"Yeah," she pecked at his mouth, "and it was so good. Positively addicting." Now she licked at his lips and whispered, "I can't get enough."

Climbing on him, her legs on either side of his waist, she groaned as he opened his mouth and took her kiss. Over and over their tongues fought and Deonne found herself sliding her soaked pussy down his stomach, seeking the instrument that would cure her new ache.

Leaning back, she looked Kevin in the eyes, a look of surprise in hers. She couldn't believe she was so turned on again already, but her pussy was screaming at her, demanding to be filled. Reaching behind her she took his cock in her hand, thrilled to find she was not the only one ready again. Lifting his girth, she ran her hand up and down his slightly sticky skin.

"Oh, yeah. That's good, baby." Kevin lay with his eyes closed, enjoying the feel of her hand on him.

Without warning Deonne rose up over him and seated herself hard on his thick flesh.

"Deonne, God, that feels so good, but you can't..." His hands gripped her hips, holding her in place, forcing her hips to stop. His cock was yelling profanities at him, demanding to be left alone.

"I need you," she pleaded with him, looking ridiculously feminine and indeed, needy. "Please let me ride you. You can pull out before you come."

"That's easier said than done." Jesus, what is she doing to me? He looked up at her and she pouted at him. He felt her trying to wiggle her hips, finally her powerful thighs and buttocks, toned from jogging and gym time, were able to start a relief-giving rocking motion. He was sinking fast.

"I'll let you come on my titties," she offered as a tempting bribe.

She continued to pout and it was all Kevin could do to not laugh, but funny or not, she was sexy as hell.

"Wouldn't you love to come all over my titties? Or maybe my face? Hmm?" With that she ran her lips around her kiss swollen lips and Kevin almost lost it right then. This was the girl who wouldn't let him look at her just a few minutes ago?

"Damn, baby," Kevin said as he relaxed his hold on her hips and the last bit of sanity moved out of the room, "if this all blows up on you, then we're naming him after my father." That way his dad might not kill him for being so stupid.

By the time he finished talking she was already bouncing on his cock, moaning her excitement.

"Yes... sir!" was her breathless reply, mocking him even while focusing on the sensations between her legs. She had never come this close to orgasm so fast, he felt heavenly. He was huge and the skin contact as he filled every square millimeter of surface was unbelievable. As she bounced faster the inner walls of her pussy swelled, the muscles gripping and releasing his iron-hard dick.

"So good... so fuckin' good."

Deonne rarely cussed. Hearing that dirty little word come out of her sweet little mouth was a turn-on and distracted him completely from his mental recitation of the periodic table.

"That's it baby, talk dirty for me. Let me hear how you feel," he encouraged. He needed to speed her up, if she went on much longer he wouldn't outlast her. He reached up and played with her rock-like nipples, pinching them and rolling them between his fingers.

"You feel so fuckin' good," she replied in a hurried tone, "your cock feels so amazing, so... ahhh... big. Pinch harder... Oh, yeah, like that... feels so... oh fuck... God, I'm almost there." Her eyes closed.

Deonne slowed and started rocking her pelvis down and back on his cock with measured, focused drives. Kevin diverted one hand lower and started rubbing his thumb in circles over the hard nugget between her thighs.

"Look at me baby." He wanted her looking at him when she came.

"Ohh... mmm." The desperate need for completion reflected from her eyes as she looked down on him. She leaned forward, her hands supporting her weight on his chest as every part of her body concentrated on the storm between her legs. And then she was there. 

Her pussy milked and milked, trying to lure the seed from him, a primal act and for the first time the thought of creating a life, getting a girl pregnant, was not repulsive, it was even erotic.

He was so damn close. Fuck! It was back to the periodic table. He took deep breaths and closed his eyes, cutting off the visual stimulation she was providing. As soon as he felt her tremors lessen he picked her up off of him and almost threw her back on the bed before grabbing his cock.

"Where do you want it, baby?" she asked, not quite finished. "Where do you want to squirt that hot come?" 

Barely conscious, but forcing herself to focus on his need, her promise, she rotated her still throbbing pussy in a circle towards him and grabbed her tits pressing them together while licking her lips and opening her mouth.

"Tits," he ground out between his teeth. He was out of time as he got on his knees and aimed at those pale, pink-tipped globes. Come burst out in thick ropes across her tits, marking her, claiming her as his.

He stayed like that for a moment catching his breath when all of a sudden and with remarkable energy he bounded off the bed, throwing his clothes on, shoving his cock into his pants, boxers left behind.

Grabbing her keys where they landed on the floor in their haste earlier, he ran back to her and planted a hot, wet kiss on her mouth.

"I'll be back in a little bit. Relax. You want anything?" he asked her in a rush.

"Kevin! Where you going?"

"Store. We ain't fuckin' doing that shit again, that was too damn close."

Laying there barely able to move a muscle, she heard the apartment door slamming. She chuckled and pulled the covers back. A rest was a good idea, she was exhausted. What a sweet, thoughtful guy, being all worried like that, she thought as she snuggled under the summer-weight blankets.

Deonne woke with a start as something hit her on the arm. Now something hit her leg.

"Oow!" she exclaimed as something pokey struck her hip.

"Sorry, babe. Didn't mean for it to hurt," a man replied with a chuckle.

Oh, my God. Deonne's eyes popped open and it all came rushing back to her. Kevin. She smiled up at him, grabbing the object nearest her, the one that hit her arm. A toothy grin appeared.

A Dove milk chocolate bar.

"Mmm ... thank you, I'm starving. I think you almost killed me, you've driven me to the point of utter exhaustion and starvation."

"As long as you die happy, I'll know my work wasn't in vain," he returned.

Looking down she saw the other projectiles. Two large boxes of condoms. She burst into laughter.

"I think if you fuck me that many times in one weekend I will be dead," she declared and flopped onto her back as laughter consumed her. 

"Let's see, eighty fucks divided into forty-eight... that would be about one fuck every half hour," she chuckled again. "You're good, but even The Great Kevin Banning may have his limits!"

"Now, don't you worry your pretty little head about it, little girl."

Deonne's eyebrows shot up.

"Did you just...? You didn't just...? Did you say, 'worry your pretty little head, little girl', to me? Oooo!"

"Girl, you laughed at me for almost two minutes like I just fell off the stupid wagon, right?" he shot back at her.

Bracing on one arm, he leaned over and turned her face towards him, kissing her lightly.

"I took a couple math classes too, sweetheart. I'm on leave," he replied, giving her a small knowing smile.

"Ah. So maybe you're smarter than you look after all."

"Maybe." He stared at her, taking in her green eyes, the light freckles across her nose. "Now, get out of that bed and feed me. You nearly sucked the lifeblood out of me and I haven't eaten since lunch. Somebody tells me you can manage to keep from killing people in the kitchen."

"What!"

She gave him a look of real shock.

"You keep insulting me like that and you won't be needing eighty condoms, you'll never need one again! I'm a good cook!"

"Oh, yeah?" he challenged with a smile. "Prove it."

She shrieked and threw off the covers, energy fueled by indignation had her yanking on a large t-shirt and heading to the kitchen.

"And when I see that two-faced brother of yours again, I'm going to... to... something!"

"That's a heavy threat. I'll be sure to warn him." He was grinning at her as he leaned against the narrow wall dividing her kitchen from the living space. She whipped a frying pan out and nearly banged it on the stove, then stormed to the fridge and grabbed some mushrooms and onions out and set them on the counter.

"You're so damned sexy when you're mad."

He was still grinning as he watched her stop and looked at him, her eyes narrowing.

"You just wanted to see me get all hot and bothered," she accused.

"Hot, definitely."

Smiling, he stepped across her small kitchen and ran his hands down her back, pulling her to him, cupping her ass.

"And after you feed me I will positively be bothering you."

"You could just feed yourself and I could go rest so I'll be ready for you," she suggested.

"No I couldn't."

"Sure you could, just help yourself."

"Babe, the only thing I know how to cook that aren't MREs are protein shakes and cereal."

She looked back, shaking her head at him like he was the sorriest excuse for a man she'd ever seen.

"How can you not cook? You're a chemist. Cooking is chemistry."

"Well, if you want to put the right amount of high explosives in it and blow it up, I'm your man," he responded, alluding to his Special Forces specialty.

She continued to shake her head at him and started in on his mushroom omelet.



Ready Ch. 02



Author's Note: This is a ROMANCE story between a guy and gal; he happens to be black, she happens to be white. Looking for a fetish stroker? This isn't it. I must thank AsylumSeeker for his patience and long-suffering in editing my copy. All good is from him, any bad comes from my own stumbling mind.

*

"Are you sure your family's ready for this?"

"Ready for what?" she asked with a slight smile, her eyes focused on the road in front of her, already understanding his meaning.

Kevin glanced sideways from the passenger seat and quirked an eyebrow. You know damn well what, he thought.

"You should have told them."

Deonne had somehow forgotten to mention to her lily-white, redneck family that her boyfriend of over a year was black. Okay, so she hadn't really forgotten, she just kept putting it off. They knew everything about him but his race. She wasn't really sure how they would react initially. Yep, she had been a coward and now Kevin was going to pay the price when they climbed out of the car in a few minutes.

"It'll be okay," she suggested hopefully, "they're open-minded, not stereotypical hicks from the sticks. We'll just have to give them time to adjust."

"Dee ..." he started then stopped. Sighing, he continued. "It's one thing to be open-minded in general, but something else when your baby girl brings home a black man."

Her eyes grew concerned, a small, deeply buried worry that she had tried hard to ignore felt like a stone in her stomach. Taking her eyes from the road, she took in his strong profile, his hair, cropped short, his wide, almost blunt nose and firm, lean face that revealed a dimple in his left cheek when he smiled. Right now his brown eyes looked back at her with mild accusation. Race had not been much of a factor in their relationship, but instantly it had become this huge deal and it was all because of her.

Watching her face change expressions, Kevin felt a tight frustration pull at his gut. Frankly, he didn't give a damn what her family thought of him or their relationship, but they were very important to her, and with so many brothers, sisters and a plethora of extended family, she had a minefield to negotiate.

As she turned the car off the pavement onto the gravel road that would carry them the last leg of their journey to her parent's house that feeling of wholeness, of belonging, came over her as it always did when she returned to her childhood home.

Much about the area bothered her. The poverty and lack of hope that hung over the region decade after decade like a persistent never-ending fog had driven her away and made her weep for those stuck in its oppressive grip, but it was still home. The mowed off cornfields of the lowlands that trailed the river and gentle rolling hills covered in trees were now barren, cold and packed up for the winter. This would always be a living part of her, invisible roots buried deep into her very being, just as the roots of the old oak trees on the farm burrowed deep into the rich Ohio soil.

Accelerating quickly up the steep, curving incline, she announced abruptly, "This is where my brother slid off the road and flipped over. The van rolled once before it stopped. I thought we were going to die!"

Kevin refused to show fear, but as he gazed at where she pointed his eyes grew large as he saw the steep slope down the hill, a small creek meandering at the bottom.

"You were there? Were you okay?" he couldn't help asking.

"Oh, yeah! It was just John and me. It started to snow while we were in town, so there was a thin coating on the road and with the washboard effect these roads get he lost control of the back and next thing we knew, over we went. But Dad just got the tow truck out here and he and my brothers flipped it over and pulled it back up the hill. It fired right up and he drove it home. It got a couple scratches on the side and a dent on the roof, but other than that, it was fine. I was so mad at him. I wanted to drive and he bullied me."

"Was your dad upset?"

"Dad? Nah, he rarely gets mad. He may look like a night club bouncer, but he's usually a pussy cat. It was just an accident. John wasn't driving fast or anything."

Deonne's idea of fast driving had him doubting her on that, but he kept quiet.

The next thing he knew they were sliding on the gravel as she hit the brakes and made a hard left turn onto a dirt driveway. He was grateful for his grip on the dash as she slammed into a pothole the size of Rhode Island; chickens were scattering in their path. God. Does she ever slow down?

As she pulled to a stop Kevin was able to focus on his surroundings, the jarring from her breakneck speed over the rutted path having abruptly halted. To the left stood a large modern barn and several outbuildings with woods and pasture spanning to the right. In the middle was a rambling old Victorian farmhouse. Kevin climbed out of the small rental car. Okay, where is it? He knew there had to be one. Yup, sauntering his way was the scruffiest, dirtiest yellow mutt he had ever seen. And he was making a beeline right to him.

"Larry!" Deonne shouted, "Get off him! Right now!"

"Larry? Your dog's name's Larry?"

"What's wrong with Larry?" she asked, pulling the fishy smelling dog off her impeccable boyfriend. Kevin had never seemed so city-boy as he did right now. Wasn't he a tough army guy? But as she watched him brush dirt and crud off his black sweater, she noticed a small smile. Not so slick after all.

"It just doesn't seem very dog-like."

The front door opened and two very large men came out. Deonne had not exaggerated when she mentioned a night club bouncer. Coming towards him was Daddy Bouncer and Junior Bouncer. Both were wearing yards of hunting camouflage, boots and well-worn baseball caps.

"Well, look what Larry drug up from the pond!"

Deonne stuck her tongue out at her brother. Kevin was sure that only a little sister would dare challenge Junior Bouncer like that.

"Daddy, Phil. This is Kevin." Please, she prayed, don't let them say something stupid. For once.

Kevin took half a step toward her brother, who was closest and stuck out his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Deonne's oldest brother gripped his hand and looked him in the eye. "Same here. Glad you could make it for Thanksgiving."

When Kevin turned towards her father his hand was already waiting. "Nice to meet you, son." With that he turned towards his daughter and gave her a long, hard stare full of meaning, and then he grabbed her to him for a big hug.

"Glad to see she managed to get you here in one piece. Seems to think a car is a plane that flies on the ground." Having said his little joke, he stuck his hands in his pockets and made his way back towards the house leaving everyone chuckling except Deonne.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she huffed.

"Need any help with your bags?" Phil volunteered.

"I sure do," Deonne piped up.

"Not you, river rat. Get your own bags. I'm talkin' to the compn'y."

"Nah, I'm good," Kevin replied, grabbing both his and Deonne's bags out of the back of the car.

Deonne pushed open the heavy red door and held the wooden screen for Kevin, letting it slam shut with a loud bang behind her. Kevin found himself in a large living room with a staircase running up the left side of the room. He took in the light green walls and worn, overstuffed brown couch and loveseat, built more for comfort than looks. In the corner was Mr. McNeil's obvious throne, a dark green leather Lay-z-boy, with a direct view of the older model television. On one wall was a fireplace, and next to the loveseat was a vintage upright piano.

"Deonne! You're here!" Rushing at her was a tall, slightly heavyset woman in her early thirties with long dark hair and wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans. Behind her was an attractive, petite blonde, looking overly dressed for farm life in a beige pantsuit and stiletto heels. Both were wearing large smiles.

"Becca! I thought you weren't coming down until tomorrow?" Deonne greeted, putting her arms around her taller sister.

"Well, Dan can't come until tomorrow, but I couldn't stay away," she responded before glancing at Kevin.

Oh yeah, Deonne thought, my sister couldn't stand waiting a minute longer to meet my mystery man.

Looking past her sister, she moved towards Phil's wife, Camille. "Hi, Camille. It's been a long time. I'm glad you guys could make it," she said and gave her a small hug. Deonne had never felt comfortable with Phil's wife. Her sophistication and quietness intimidated her. Phil and Camille were proof that opposites attract.

Looking back at Kevin who stood watching by the luggage, she introduced him. "Becca, Camille. This is my friend, Kevin."

Merriment lit Becca's eyes. "Hi, Kevin. We've heard so much about you." With that she gave her sister an ornery look and shook Kevin's hand.

Kevin smiled back, "And yet, not enough, I'm afraid."

Camille, more naturally reserved, politely put out her hand in greeting and Kevin realized that this sophisticated looking lady had the kindest eyes he had ever seen. He instantly liked her.

Receiving their room assignments from Becca, Deonne pushed her nose in the air and commanded in a pitiful British accent, "Follow me, kind sir, and I shall take you to your suite!" With that she proceeded to head towards the staircase.

Deonne trotted him down a long hallway and picked a doorway on the right. Shaking his head while trying to keep up and not bang the luggage into the wall, he wondered if there was a fire or something. Deonne walked just like she drove.

Upon entering his room, he took in the two mismatched twin beds with coordinated thin dark blue bedspreads, dark blue curtains and light blue walls. A small maple dresser from a bygone era stood between the two windows. Small children's sleeping bags covered the floor along with gym bags, toys, and young boys' clothing dumped helter-skelter.

Behind him Deonne leaned on the door, closing it. Putting the bags down, Kevin straightened and looked at her.

"You know, I don't think you've had a very good McNeil welcome," Deonne decided, her face wearing a look of mock seriousness.

"I haven't?"

"Nope," she confirmed, shaking her head slowly as she climbed over a gym bag and Matchbox cars making her way towards him. "And I think I'm going to have to do something about that."

"Oh, yeah?" A small smile touched his lips as he watched her.

Her mark in sight, Deonne felt her toe catch on the end of a sleeping bag, halting her forward movement abruptly. Throwing her hands out, she managed to land on her hands and knees at Kevin's feet.

Looking up, she saw Kevin trying unsuccessfully to stop laughing, his hand to his forehead, shoulders shaking and a smile unsuccessfully being kept in check.

"Really, prostrating yourself wasn't necessary." He couldn't help himself.

Eyes narrowing, Deonne reached for Kevin's belt buckle.

"Yeah, there we go, babe, now we're talking. A little personal attention wou -"

Deonne jerked hard on his belt, pulling him down. Knowing she couldn't counter his strength, she grabbed his crotch with her other hand, startling him and causing him to lose balance. He came forward on top of her, bumping his shoulder into a bed.

Dragging herself out from under him, she turned around to see his back shaking hard with laughter.

"You're a fuckin' secret weapon. We don't need an army; we have you," he announced while shaking his head.

Snuggling herself up against him and putting her hand gently on his cheek, she asked, "Now, where were we?"

"Making me welcome. Do you McNeil's always welcome your company by slamming their head into the ground and breaking their shoulders?"

"Only the special ones," and with that said she pulled his head towards hers and gave him a soft, tentative kiss.

Deonne and Kevin hadn't seen each other in three months, and meeting at the airport before driving to the farm, Kevin had driven the contact like a man starved. He had clutched her tightly and gorged himself on her lips. Even so, the length of separation had made her surprisingly cautious, unsure. He wanted to pull her hard into his body and drive his tongue into her mouth, but he decided to wait and see where she would take them.

Expecting Kevin to take the initiative, Deonne paused, her lips touching his. When nothing happened she drew back slightly and looked him in the eyes. He just stared back, waiting. She leaned in again and rubbed her lips against him. Sighing, she felt the tingle start between her legs. His lips were so soft, she rubbed again. 

Letting her tongue peek out, she ran it along his full bottom lip, then she placed her lips back over his and slipped her tongue between his. Her tongue brushed against his even teeth, and turning her head she pressed in, hoping he would get the message and open up. She was sure she would die if he didn't kiss her back soon. 

He stayed there, still, his fingertips gently caressing her back under her sweater the only moving part. Pulling back in frustration, she looked at him with questioning eyes.

With eyes slightly narrowed and a hint of a smile he asked, "What?"

"Kiss me back!"

"You want me to kiss you back?"

"Yes!" she said with a little laugh.

"Ask me."

"Ask you? For a kiss? Are you nuts?" 

Reaching down, Kevin cupped her pussy. Slowly he squeezed. A pulsing began between her legs, her clit wanted more. He squeezed again and she whimpered. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him towards her. Putting her lips to his, she was sure he had gotten over his little fun, but he remained still.

"Ask." Not a suggestion. Softly spoken, Deonne heard the steel in his tone. Her breath grew irregular and shallow.

"Come on Kev, kiss me," she pleaded.

"Un-uh. You know what I want." He smiled at her, his hand giving another squeeze before it started rubbing back and forth.

"Please kiss me, Kevin," she whispered.

"With pleasure."

He leaned forward pressing her back to the floor. Placing his elbows by her shoulders Kevin tenderly drew a finger along her hair, feeling its silky smoothness before brushing away the lock that fell across her face with his thumb. His eyes intently wandered over her face memorizing each curve, every freckle. Running his long fingers into her thick, short hair he slowly bent down, letting his lips caress hers. Unable to hold back, he grew more urgent, his lips hard on hers, his tongue fucking her mouth.

"I may have to take you out in the woods, little girl, and have my way with you. It's been too fuckin' long. Ain't no way I'm gonna spend the whole damn weekend with you and not get any, babe."

Smiling, she teased, "That might be an impressive feat even for a special operator such as yourself with all my bodyguards present." With that she leaned forward and rubbed her lips over his, inviting him back in.

"We special operators can be pretty resourceful when we need to be," he murmured.

"I'm sure," she replied.

With a groan he pressed in, turning his head and pushing her lips open, kissing her as if she were his last meal. Sliding his hands around her waist he rolled onto his back bringing her with him. He continued reacquainting himself with her slender body, his large hands running down over her back to cover her lean ass. He always thought he loved a big, full ass until he became addicted to Deonne's. He could grip its firmness and still slide his fingers down and reach her heat, which would bring his cock up faster than almost anything. 

Her body was a perfect combination. Unique and lovely, she complained, but he wouldn't change a thing. Umm, her tits. He could feel them mashed between their bodies.

"Lift up for me." He pushed on her shoulders

Deonne straddled him with her legs, her arms straightening, hands on his chest. Deonne knew what he was after. Smiling down at him she saw his eyes devouring her tits which were now hanging away from her body, pointing right at his face. Knowing she was in for a treat, her breathing picked up again.

"Ahhh. There we are," Kevin whispered as his hands came up and cupped their weight, the nipples delightfully stabbing his palms through her shirt.

She moaned. Oh, yes. She always moaned when he fondled her tits, they were so sensitive.

The sound of small, fast feet barely penetrated, but when they heard, "Aunt Deonne!! Aunt Deonne!" they moved apart.

"Cavalry to the rescue," Kevin spoke with a smile, sadly pulling his hands away.

"Aunt Deonne, what are you doing on the floor?" Deonne and Kevin jumped up, straightening their clothes.

"Alex! Billy! Look how big you guys are!" Her eyes grew large, wonder filled her voice. "Timmy, is that you? You've grown so much! You were a baby last time I saw you, now you're a big boy!" Squeezing the boys in a group hu.g, she looked up to see George Junior standing back, watching.

"Hey, George," she said softly, "can I give you a hug?"

Always shy, the six year old pulled in his lips and slowly nodded. With that Deonne got down on her knees and put her arms around the boy. George was named after her father, and the man had been so proud he almost burst his lungs as he strutted around showing everyone the baby. George Junior had looked so tiny and fragile in his grandfather's oversized weather-beaten hands. Grandpa George bent over backwards to show no favoritism, but Deonne knew there was a special spot in his heart for little George.

Looking him in the eyes with a gentle smile, she announced, "I brought you something."

With that the other boys erupted in excitement, but George remained still, a slight smile the only indicator of his inward joy.

"But first I want you to say hello to my friend," she said. They all turned and looked at the tall black man standing a few feet away.

"Hey, guys," he greeted with a smile.

"Boys, this is Kevin." Her voice slowed, portraying wonder and amazement. "Kevin's a real life Special Forces army man. He gets to jump out of perfectly fine airplanes, and climb buildings and all sorts of cool stuff!" As she spoke, the boys' eyes grew large.

"Grandpa used to be in the Army! A long time ago!" Alex, always the aggressive one, piped up.

"How many people have you killed?"

With that Kevin shot his eyes to Deonne, concern showing.

Quick to distract Deonne turned and unzipped a large gym bag and pulled out a box.

"Boys! Let me show you what I got you!"

Immediately they started jumping up and down. "A remote control plane!"

Kevin noticed that even George was unable to stay still.

"I gotta show my dad!" Turning and clutching the box, he started to run off.

"Wait!" Deonne called out. "You haven't welcomed Kevin. Come back and say hello first."

With that the three boys hung their heads and shuffled back to shake Kevin's hand. Soon they were screaming at the top of their lungs heading off to show their acquisition.

Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her forehead, "Your gift's a big hit."

Snorting, she replied, "I just hope it survives the trip downstairs. It may never get airborne."

"You ever flown the remote kind before?"

Smiling, she shook her head. "Nah. Phil'll work it out. It's really for him." Reaching up on tip-toes she kissed him on his chin before turning and grabbing his hand.

"C'mon, I'll show you around." 

His welcome would have to wait.

*****

With laughter rolling all around at the latest story shared by Deonne's brother, Marc, Deonne, holding her sleeping niece, Kylie, leaned even harder into Kevin's side, smiling up at him. Sitting around the table in the McNeil's dining room was a feat. What once fit the whole family of ten was too small as all those children grew up and added a number of spouses to what was now referred to as The Grown-up Table.




Ready Ch. 02



Phil leaned over to whisper conspiratorially to Kevin, "Don't worry, we let Marc have all the wild, out-of-control children, just look out for them and you'll be safe."

"Uncle Phiiil!" came a wail from the doorway. Abigail, Marc's oldest, called him on his ornery comment, "And to think you were my favorite uncle!" 

With that Phil reached out a long arm and pulled his niece into a tight hug followed by a big tickle.

Kevin smiled. No wonder these people meant so much to Deonne. Family had arrived slowly throughout the day, coming from near and far. Only her sister, Megan, had not been able to make it.

Kevin's fears of a redneck lynching never came to pass. The only comment came as Kylie was brought up into a big bear hug by her aunt. The four year old brunette had stared with wide eyes at Kevin and leaned over to whisper loudly into Deonne's ear, "Your boyfriend is black!" and gawked back at him in amazement. Kevin wondered if she had seen very many African-Americans; he hadn't since they left the nearest city.

Deonne smiled and said, "Yes, he is. Is that okay? He's really very nice."

As the girl openly looked at him with a cross between innocence and wizened matchmaker, Kevin realized he was holding his breath, feeling a discomfort he hadn't felt since his last stare-down on the drill field at West Point.

"Yes, it's okay," she acquiesced. Kevin exhaled.

Kevin had winked at her and Kylie squeezed both her eyes closed and open rapidly, 'winking' back at him.

"Wanna see my new puppy?" The matter of race relations was officially over and Kevin was thrilled to take a back seat to a dog.

Now, as the day wound to a close, Marc stood. "Well, I don't know about you all, but it was a long drive for me, so it's time I headed for the sack," he yawned. 

Eye rolling and chuckles filled the room as Marc lived next door and shared the farm with his Dad along with his vet duties, which was the real reason he was tired.

Reaching down, he pulled his sleeping daughter from Deonne's arms. "Come on Abby," he called, "time to head home and get you two to bed." With that he took his little family towards the back door.

"He's doing much better these days," Camille noted as the back door closed, referring to his recent divorce.

"Yeah, it's been a slow climb back and the girls are finally starting to accept that Mommy won't be coming home," George McNeil stated.

After that everyone started heading for bed. Deonne and Kevin had, of course, been given separate rooms, but Deonne had been pressed up next to Kevin all evening and her wet pussy was screaming for attention. She could never understand how such mild, innocent contact could turn her on so much.

As they sat jammed next to each other, she had slipped her arm around his back, feeling his lean muscular side, the muscles flexing and rolling under her hand as he laughed and talked and occasionally wiggled to get comfortable. Glancing at his hard thigh pressed up next to her smaller one, she then let her eyes slide up to his crotch hidden by the table. The urge to touch had been nearly irresistible! Perhaps it was time to introduce Kevin to farm life, well, the barn to be exact. She definitely wanted to do a little milking and it had nothing to do with cows.

"... Deonne?" her dad was trying to get her attention. Trying to not blush she looked at her father.

"You'll turn out the lights and lock up, right?"

"Sure Daddy."

With that George McNeil turned his eyes to Kevin's for a short stare-down. Kevin returned the look. Shit, if I weren't so damn horny for your daughter, it would work, he thought.

"Good-night, sir."

"Good-night, General." General had become Kevin's nickname almost upon stepping foot on the farm. They all seemed to find it amusing to mildly mock his officer status, while respecting his service. McNeil men had been volunteering in the military for generations, but none had been officers. Deonne was the first officer and the only female to ever serve and family pride was obvious.

Still mashed against his side, Deonne turned to face him, throwing one leg over his, straddling him. Feeling the table cut into her back, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her smile faded as her hunger quickly overwhelmed her. Leaning forward she touched her lips to his. His hand came up tangling in her hair, forcing her mouth tight against his as he thrust his tongue into her. Retreating and driving back into her mouth over and over, he mimicked what he so badly wanted to do with his cock.

"God," he said, pulling back and leaning his forehead on hers. They were both panting.

"General Patton, sir, I believe your baton is sticking me in my stomach."

Chuckling and shaking his head, he commented, "Deonne, you nut. At least I know now where you get it. So, let me show you what I can do with my baton." He licked her bottom lip before pulling it into his mouth and biting on it gently.

His lips connected with hers and his tongue slid inside, rubbing against hers, coaxing her to come play in his mouth. When he started running his tongue around her smaller one like he did when he licked her clit, she felt the dampness grow between her legs. His hand moved down over her back, gripping her ass and her breath grew shallow as his hardness rocked against her. 

"I gotta fuck you, baby."

Getting up, she grabbed his hand, pulling him along. "The barn."

His eyebrows rose, but wherever she led, his dick was sure to follow. As they worked their way around dining room furniture, Kevin jerked her back for a hard kiss, causing her to stumble and rattle the decorative teacups on the sideboard.

"Shhh!" she giggled.

Grabbing a blanket from her mother's quilt rack before tip-toeing across the kitchen, she felt more like a sixteen year old sneaking out than an adult woman. What was it about being around family that stripped years off your maturity? Slowly and quietly she opened the back door, knowing it had its own special kind of alarm system that her father could hear through deep REM sleep from the other side of the house. She paused, listening and hearing sounds of her family still readying themselves for bed. Good, she was sure they wouldn't be heard leaving the house.

As soon as they closed the door, Kevin grabbed her arm as she moved past him and shoved her against the house. Kissing her hard, his tall, lean body pressed against hers. His hands were eager to continue where they left off earlier in the bedroom and slipped under her shirt to find her tits. He kneaded her desperately, almost roughly before pushing the offending bra out of the way. His hands squeezed and twisted, reflecting the same eager hunger his mouth was demonstrating on her lips. Fingering her nipples, he pinched gently, then harder. The cool air aided in stimulating her stiff nubs. Deonne groaned, her hips rocking forward.

"Like that?" Kevin asked, pinching them even harder, causing her pussy to spasm. 

God, she was so turned on she couldn't think straight. Her family was just inside, it was cold. They needed to get to the barn for a little privacy and warmth. She tried to pull away.

"Kev..." she got out before he thrust his tongue back into her mouth. Pulling back, she saw the raw lust in his eyes.

"... the barn ..."

"No. Here," he muttered, sucking one nipple hard into his mouth. It had been too long and he wanted to be inside her now.

Three months of waiting and Deonne nearly climaxed feeling his warm, wet tongue close over her cool tit, the quilt dropping from her hand, forgotten. It had been so long and her body remembered better than her mind how good this felt, how good he felt inside of her.

Unsnapping her jeans, he pushed them down out of the way, his breathing hard. Jamming two fingers between her puffy lower lips he felt just how ready she was for him. She was soaked, swollen, her little clit distended well out of its hood.

"Pants off, babe," he demanded, an edge to his voice.

Deonne whimpered as his fingers left her moist center and jerked his belt open. Clawing at his jeans, his fingers shook as he pulled his hard length out. How was he able to stay away from her so long, to go without this?

Stepping on a pant leg with her foot, she managed to get one leg free before Kevin leaned over and in one movement pushed his arms between her legs and lifted her body, forcing her wide as he shoved hard up into her.

Crying out, she took him all in, but even with her pussy dripping and screaming to be filled, she was not quite ready for his size. Before she could adjust he pulled out and rammed home again with a grunt. As he stopped deep inside her, Deonne felt herself adjusting, becoming reacquainted with his body. Her hands ran along his flexed biceps, up over his sculpted shoulders, feeling his strength as she was pulled along with him towards completion. She loved when his need for her overwhelmed him and he lost control. She loved feeling his power.

"Ung! I forget how tight ...," he whispered into her ear.

Moving his hands under her ass he drove even faster into her, his fingers squeezing and digging into her cheeks before sliding a middle finger through her pussy juice and placing it over her tight asshole. God he wanted her ass. Soon, he thought. 

"Oh, God... yes... feels so good..." Deonne whimpered, his finger on her sensitized hole driving her closer.

She felt him grow that last amazing bit more inside her, swelling and filling her. Every nerve ending in her body was getting energy from the driving friction of his cock against her inner walls. Almost there. This was her favorite moment, when she felt most alive, connected to him with every cell, the second before climax. "Now," Kevin grunted out through clinched teeth. Jammed to the hilt, he shoved his finger up her ass.

Deonne bit her lip to keep from screaming. Unstoppable keening sounds were coming from her throat as she lost control over his thick shaft, her pussy clamping down so tight he couldn't breathe, her hands on his head and shoulders, nails digging in, hips driving down forcefully. Her body shook, muscles clinched, nothing but this mattered. She fell forward onto his shoulder as it continued to pour through her body, causing her pussy to milk him over and over.

"Fuck."

With a low growl, Kevin erupted deep into her. It had been too long. Ropes of come shot out of his cock, coating her as he thrust hard jabs up into her, once again proclaiming her body his with his seed, with his domination.

Sagging against the house gasping, they both slowly came back to earth.

"Jesus girl. Whaddya do to me?"

Untangling themselves, they quickly pulled their clothes on, the cold November night air making itself known now that the heat of lust had worn off. Bending he picked up the quilt from the floor and put it around her. Holding her tightly, he rubbed his jaw back and forth against her hair before giving the top of her head a quiet, unfelt kiss.

"We need to get to our assigned rooms before they send out a search party," Kevin stated quietly.

"Mmm... This feels so good. I missed you," she said, feeling his come leak out of her, she realized she missed that too. "But you're right, my sister will be grilling me enough as it is, though if we stay out late enough she may just fall asleep and I can avoid it tonight!"

Gently pushing her back from him he brushed his full lips against hers then kissed her almost tenderly. "Babe... come on, let's go."

Gingerly stepping over suitcases, shoes, and a sleeping bag full of a child, Deonne carefully made her way to her old bed.

"So, you've been keeping secrets," Becca whispered loudly, chuckling.

Crap!

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I don't know. Chicken." Thinking a moment she added, "I guess I couldn't stand knowing there would be family gossip going on. Reality is so much more reasonable."

"Like there won't be now? Are you kidding?"

"Yeah, but..." she slowly replied, "maybe everyone won't be on board having met him. They might just think for themselves, you know. I can hope anyway."

"Come on, Deonne. Did you really think the guys would have a problem with him? This isn't 1958, you know?" All of a sudden Becca's eyes got big. "Oh, my God! I just thought... Can you imagine the look on Aunt Silvia's face when she sees him? I can't wait, I just can't wait. Maybe the ol' bat will have a heart attack on the spot and put us all out of our misery!" Chuckling, she rolled back and forth on her bed. "Oh, man. It's gonna be good." Sighing, she bent over the bed to make sure little Timmy was still sleeping after her outburst.

"For what it's worth, I like him. Though I can't think straight around him, he's hotter 'n hell! You should have warned me about that, too!" Becca admitted, smiling at her sister in the dark.

Becca found it all amusing, but Deonne groaned. Aunt Silvia was her mother's oldest aunt, and she had been driving her family crazy for as long as she could remember. Loud and obnoxious, she was just the opposite of her husband, Uncle Buster, the mouse.

Deonne hesitated a moment, then asked, "What do you think Dad thinks ... on the inside, you know?" She was so concerned; he really was the only one whose feelings mattered regarding Kevin. She would hate for her father to not accept Kevin, but he gave up so little when it came to his feelings and he was from a different generation.

"Well, has he been glowering at you all day? Has he refused to speak to Kevin? I wouldn't worry then," she replied, speaking from personal experience.

Deonne had to chuckle. Everything went very well when Becca brought the lanky medical student home from college the first time. A future doctor. A family first. It went well the second visit. But on the third visit, when Dan was helping the family put up hay that late August weekend and feeling the heat, he decided to take his shirt off. Her dad had almost forgotten to release the bail of hay he was tossing and nearly thrown himself off the wagon head first.

Wrapping itself around Dan's waist and circling his back with the head occupying a large part of the middle spewing venom and hatred like the wrath of Satan was a tattoo snake. In a former life as an undergrad Dan had played lead guitar in a heavy metal band, as a matter of fact, it had paid most of his tuition.

Deonne and her sister, Megan, had been watching from the door of the barn and noticed the look of shock on their father's face before turning to see Becca's realization turn to mortification as she ran towards Dan frantically trying to get his attention. Deonne and Megan began laughing and soon they were doubled over. Seeing their Dad's look of anger swing towards them they quickly hustled around the corner where they fell on the floor of the barn unable to stop. Becca had brought a metal head home. It didn't get much better than this.

Sobering up, Deonne focused on what her sister was saying.

"I mean," Becca continued, "I think it was a surprise to him. You know, you've talked about Kevin for ages and, well, you kind of get a mental picture. It would have been fairer to us if we'd had time to think it through. I know that sounds stupid. I think Dad wants you to be happy most of all. He wants you to have someone who cares for you, treats you right, and will be there for you in the good times and bad.

"Maybe a few years ago," she shrugged, "he would have been more judgmental, but times change, life happens and sometimes what seemed important in the past isn't anymore." After a moment she added, "I think most of us around here have done a lot of re-prioritizing." Their mother dying has caused a lot of personal reflection in the family, and Deonne noticed the deeper care they took towards each other over the years since.

"I guess you're right. And thanks for paving the way, big sis, I knew it would pay off someday," she teased her sister.

"Sure. Anything for you, brat," Becca replied wryly.

With Kevin's family it was so different, it wasn't even a speed bump, but times moved more slowly here. This area was settled by a tough, stubborn people who dug out a hard existence in mines and narrow bits of flat land patch-worked against deep woods. A hard life for a hard people, and change did not come easily.

"Do you love him, Deonne? You did bring him home, bless his heart!"

Deonne didn't want to answer that, but finally she whispered, "Yes."

"He seems crazy about you."

"Yeah," she responded, still sounding unsure.

Rolling over, Becca ended the conversation with, "Well, that turkey's not going to cook itself tomorrow, so we'd better shut up and get some sleep. I'm so glad you're home, little sister," and with that she turned over on her twin mattress, facing the wall. 

"I'm glad to be home." Deonne lay staring at the ceiling.

All votes, comments and feedback are very much appreciated. Yes, I'm begging!



Ready Ch. 03



Author's Note: For those who might be jumping into Ch. 3 and hoping for a quickie, sorry. What you're looking for is in here, but you have to dig. This is a little unconventional for Lit, but it's what came out of my mind! I really want to thank those who've voted, commented and sent me feedback, and Asylumseeker for editing.

Thanksgiving

Kevin leaned on the doorjamb. Having secured third place in the shower line-up and only running out of hot water the last two minutes, he was feeling pretty good about himself. Ah, the joys of a large family! He was watching Deonne interact with Becca and Camille as they laughed and joked while chopping, stirring and washing, doing the early preparations for Thanksgiving dinner, still hours away. He was amazed at how domestic and utterly feminine Deonne really was.

Did her fellow naval aviators ever see this part of her? Did they know she loved to sew or that baking was her passion? Did they know she painted her toes hot pink? And that her khaki uniform coveralls hid a lacy white thong and see through bra? Pulling his mind back out of his dick before he got in trouble, Kevin announced his presence.

"Morning ladies. Anything I can do to help?"

With a start, all three heads turned to stare, three jaws dropped.

Becca, rarely at a loss for words was the first to recover and stated with wide eyes, "Did you just volunteer to help? As in 'help in

the kitchen'?"

Starting to realize the lay of this land in McNeil Territory, a small dimple formed in his left cheek. Seeing it, Becca nearly swooned.

"Quick! Someone put an apron on that man before they come and liberate him!"

Coming up behind her, Kevin put his arms around Deonne. He stuck his finger into the pumpkin batter then licked.

"Seriously, what can I do to help?" he asked, sticking his finger back in the batter.

"Seriously?" Deonne asked.

"I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it." 

He held his finger to her lips and without thinking she opened them and sucked and licked. As he started to slowly pull his finger out of her mouth Deonne felt a little quiver between her legs and a sigh escaped her lips.

"Okay. We could sure use someone to check the bathrooms and pick up all the towels and clothing lying on the floor, then take them down to the basement for us to wash later. That way nobody'll kill themselves trying to get to the toilet!"

"No problem."

"Deonne, where did you find this guy?" Camille asked with a smile as they heard Kevin's feet on the stairs.

"Don't worry. I think it's all an act," she answered with a wry grin. "I'm pretty sure he'd rather be outside with the guys. He's not a farmer, but he spends a lot of time crawling around in the woods being up close and personal with nature!"

Chuckling, Becca replied, "Well, don't tell Dad. There's a lot of nature out in the barn that I'm sure he'd love to let Kevin get personal with!"

Mucking out was a never-ending chore on a dairy farm, and now that everyone had left home their father did most of it himself with the help of Ernie, the once-a-week hired hand.

*****

Coming down the upstairs hall with an armload of towels and clothing, Kevin bumped into Paul as he was coming out of a bedroom. Long and lean, with wavy auburn hair coming just over the ears and a quick smile, Paul, except for his height, least resembled his brothers. Kevin saw some of their mother in him. Phil and Marc took after their father, even Deonne and Becca had strong hints of their father in the face and coloring, albeit a much more feminine form.

"Dude! What have they done to you?" Paul asked, chuckling. "Let me take that from you."

"Nah, really I'm okay, but you can show me to the basement."

"Sure," he agreed and they took off for the basement.

"You better be careful, they'll have you cookin' and settin' the table next! We try and not get too pussy-whipped around here," he stated with a grin.

"I can tell. Don't you guys ever help out?"

"Sure, when we have time, but we try to be discrete about it and all, don't want 'em to catch on, you know?" Looking over his shoulder, he winked at Kevin. "Dad usually has so many projects waiting for us when we visit, we barely get in the house to eat and sleep. This morning I gave him a break by doing the morning milking, then Marc and I repaired some roofing that was loose on the barn. Oh, and Phil fixed the chicken wire on the coop." All this before 10:00am, Kevin noted. Farm days start early.

Making their away through the house, they negotiated various toddler toys and dodged running children.

"Alex! Walk," Paul called to his nephew, "You don't want to get busted by your mom!"

Finally in the basement, the men sorted the clothing from the towels and shoved a load in the washer. Leaning on the dryer Paul turned towards Kevin and watched as he dumped in some laundry detergent.

"You know, while I'm home I should grab Marc's laundry and wash it for him. It's starting to take over the house like a giant fungus and I fear the girls are wearing retreads, if you know what I mean."

"He seems to have a lot on his plate," Kevin acknowledged. Deonne had told him of Marc's recent divorce and he knew the man was a veterinarian and helped with the farm.

"Yep. I told him to bring in some help, but he hasn't got it done yet. Maybe he's not ready."

"So, Paul. Deonne tells me you're back in school."

"Yeah, the long lost prodigal has returned to the fold," he said with a chuckle.

"How's that?"

"Dad was a high school dropout and he was going to make damn sure that didn't happen to us. Matter of fact, he had to improve on that idea; we were going to fuckin' college if it killed him. I mean, there are no college funds or anything, but by sheer force of his will we were going.

"So, I headed off to the local U. after high school, partied my ass off for two years, and realized I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. So I quit, headed to California and became a deck hand. To say Dad was pissed would be an understatement."

"Must have been a hell of an adventure for an Ohio boy."

"Oh, it was! For a while at least." He shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets. "It finally got time to move on."

"What are you studying?"

"Marine biology."

"Can't get away from the water, huh?"

"I love the ocean. This huge expanse of green, it all seems so simple, but hidden underneath is so much power and mystery. I never get tired of it."

There was a lot more going on in the head of this shaggy-haired, blue-eyed beach bum than appeared on the surface, just like his beloved ocean.

"So, General, you up for a little touch football?"

"Absolutely!"

"Good, how are you at quarterback?"

"Not bad."

"Yeah?" Things were looking up. John was their only real quarterback, though everyone swore they were an undiscovered Tom Brady. "First, we've got to catch us some chickens. Let's see if we can con those girls into lettin' us have Deonne. She's the best kicker we have, and besides she's the only one not afraid of Delbert."

*****

Kevin stood, hands on his knees, bent over gasping for breath. Three hours of P.T. a day hadn't prepared him for this. He was standing in the front yard and seven McNeil's were staring at him, waiting. Five minutes earlier he had failed to find an opening for his pass. Deciding to run the ball himself, he was making good progress only to look up and see Deonne coming at him like a rat terrier after a fresh ankle. The next thing he knew, she had her arms wrapped around both his feet bringing him down for the second time this weekend.

"Hey! This is supposed to be touch football!"

"What are you talking about? I touched you!" 

Shaking his head, he knew when he was being schooled. In this family, girls got to tackle, guys didn't.

Now he looked up at his teammates, hoping not to let them down. It wasn't the tussle with Deonne that had done him in. It was the fifty or so wind sprints he had made running after chickens, or from chickens as the case may be.

Delbert, it turned out, was a rooster. And he had taken one look at Kevin and pegged him immediately as a city boy. Every time Kevin, who had decided it was unfair to leave Deonne all by herself chasing the impressive-looking rooster, got within fifteen feet of him, Delbert would charge at him and do a little wing-flapping jump baring his claw. Goddamn!

Eventually Deonne, with a broom and trashcan lid, was able to get Delbert corralled. Kevin secretly renamed him Dinner and vowed a covert op to make it reality. Shortly afterward the hens followed their leader into the pen and the serious annual Thanksgiving Day McNeil Bowl began.

Kevin received the ball from Marc, and arm cocked, was looking for cousin Sam McNeil, his intended receiver, when all of a sudden Deonne's youngest brother, Andrew, yelled out, "Silvia!"

Kevin looked towards the dirt road leading up to the house and saw an ancient black Oldsmobile plowing up the driveway, shocks and springs groaning as the old boat gently careened over the potholes like a ship cresting and dipping on the waves of the ocean.

Kevin could not see a driver until the car stopped and out stepped a small man with slicked-back, thinning brown hair. From the other side a small, round woman emerged and moved to the back of the car where she handed the man a large brown department store bag, a large white bag, two plastic bags and a cake holder before she slammed the trunk, leaving the man to juggle his way to the house. Turning towards her audience she started waving and tottering over on unstable ankles in a pair of four-inch heels.

"Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo! Kids!" she called, her arms waving, numerous metal bracelets jangling and the large sleeves on her black chiffon cape fluttering and waving like bat wings.

Kevin felt Deonne move to his side and put her fingers through his.

"Drew, better go help poor Uncle Buster," Phil murmured and Andrew took off at a trot.

With that Phil and Marc moved towards their aunt, cutting her off at the pass.

"Aunt Silvia! You made it!" Phil proclaimed. "Did you have a good trip?"

"I don't know if you'd call it good. You know your Uncle Buster. Like t' thought we'd never make it, he drives so slow!"

"Hi, Aunt Silvia," Marc piped up. Putting an arm around her shoulders he attempted to turn her towards the house. "Why don't we get you in the house? Becca is probably looking forward to some help," he lied through his teeth.

But Aunt Silvia was not to be persuaded.

"So, Marc," she looked up at him, "that woman ever gonna come back to ya? I never thought I'd see the day a woman would ever leave you, Marc McNeil, bein' such a ladies man and a doctor and all, and what those girls must think of their mama runnin' off with that man on the internet!"

For a moment not a sound was heard. Kevin felt Deonne squeeze his fingers and looked over to see her slowly close her eyes and take a deep breath. Marc dropped his arm from Silvia's shoulder and just stood there, still, his face a blank.

"The girls are doing fine," Phil answered for his brother, hoping to relieve the instant tension, "and Marc's divorce was final last week. Now, why don't we go into the house and see if there's any coffee?" Phil suggested, moving over to her other side and carefully taking her arm.

"No, no, not yet. I want to meet Deonne's young man she brought home first. Is he here?" she asked while looking around, jerking her head from side to side trying to look past the brothers. Her movements reminded Kevin of the chickens they had dealt with earlier.

Finally breaking free, Silvia turned and saw Deonne holding Kevin's hand. Startled, Silvia stopped and blinked first, then moved over to the couple.

Pointing a bony scarlet-tipped finger at Kevin she gasped, "This? This is your young man?" and glared at both of them, waves of Jean Nate rolling off of her.

"Aunt Silvia, this is Kevin Banning. My boyfriend," Deonne spoke up. Her academy training served her well and her face was calm, but Kevin recognized the rigid set to her shoulders and felt the grip of her fingers.

Unable to stop himself, Kevin took the older woman's small shriveled hand in his and brought it to his lips, "It's a pleasure to meet you Aunt Silvia. Deonne's told me all about you." As he placed a small kiss on her hand he heard her quick snort in as she jerked her hand back.

"Hmp." Her eyes were wide and she looked at her hand as if it might fall off before looking back at Kevin, her mouth opening and closing, at a loss for words. Kevin gazed back at her with a small innocent smile, a look of mild expectation turning to concern as she seemed to struggle.

"Careful. Are you all right, Aunt Silvia?" Kevin questioned, reaching out to steady her, nothing but concern for her complete welfare showing on his face.

Not answering him, she almost fell over in her haste to turn and clomp towards the house. Silence filled the air for several moments as they stared at her retreating back.

"Priceless. Just priceless!" It was John, wiping tears of mirth forming in his eyes as he bent over trying to control his laughter, hands braced on his knees.

"John!" Deonne was looking at her brother in horror.

"No, no. Sorry. It was terrible, but it's just, dude, that old bat has been pinching my cheeks since I was knee high to a grasshopper. The look on her face!" he crowed, "I'll never forget it."

Trying hard to keep his own smile off his face Phil turned to Kevin, "If I weren't so ashamed, I'd pay you to do that every time you saw her. Seriously, man, I'm sorry. I wish I could say that's the worst of it, but ya never know what's gonna come out of her mouth."

"Don't worry about it," Kevin replied. "I shouldn't have provoked her."

"Man, provoke away!" John implored him.

"Food must be ready by now. I'm going to find the girls and get us cleaned up over at my house. See ya in a little while," Marc announced before heading off.

Looking after him, Kevin replied, "That man's the walking wounded."

"That man's much better than he was six months ago," John replied.

Turning, she put her arms around Kevin's middle. "I'm sorry, Kev. I knew she'd be a piece of work."

Kevin snorted, "You ain't seen nothin'. If my Louisiana relatives ever catch sight of you, sweetheart, it'll be a hellava lot worse than this."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. But it ain't gonna happen," he decided while holding her tight. No way in hell would he put Deonne through that, or himself.

"I gotta go get cleaned up and help Becca and Camille. They've got to be going crazy in there."

"I think we both need to get cleaned up. Together."

Giggling, she replied, "If we do that we won't even make it for dessert and we'll look worse than when we went in!"

But she couldn't stop from pulling him down for a kiss. While her lips nursed at his, she ran her hands down to his neck. God, she loved his strong neck, his close-cropped hair. She continued running her hands over the collar of his sweatshirt onto his shoulders. God, she loved his back. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to shut out everything but his lips moving over hers, his tongue doing a lazy dance with hers. God, she loved him. Pulling back she slowly opened her eyes.

"I lo-," her eyes widened and she cut herself off. What did she almost do? Was she losing her mind? Oh, God. She almost told him she loved him! Someday she would have to get her nerve up, but today wasn't that day. Kevin was looking at her intently.

"What was that?" This is what happened when you dated a special operator. They never missed anything.

"Nothing," she said before looking away. Kevin put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his.

"Oh, no. It was something. What?" His gaze was steady and Deonne couldn't look at him, she turned her eyes away and pulled back.

"I really need to help Becca."

"Okay." He let it go and put his arm around her shoulders, turning them towards the house.

At the bottom of the stairs he parted from Deonne. She headed upstairs and since he'd been banned from the bathroom, he remembered the towels that needed to go into the dryer. They would definitely need them tonight. As he approached the kitchen doorway he could hear voices rising.

"Well, I never! My sister must be turning in her grave, her bringing that, that man into her house!"

"Aunt Silvia!" Becca snapped. "I will not allow you to talk about my mother like that! My mother never kept anyone, anyone from her house. She welcomed everyone!" 

Though he couldn't see her, he could hear her voice catch.

"My mom loved everyone, she was kind and loving and full of life. If she were here, she would have been the first to rush out and welcome that man! Don't you dare drag my mother down to your level."

"'Down to my level?' Shame on you! We weren't raised to mingle, let alone marry another race! She would be heartbroken to see what her daughter has done!" With that Silvia threw down her dish towel and stormed out of the kitchen nearly knocking Kevin down. Moving out of her way, he stood in the doorway.

"God, she drives me crazy!" Becca proclaimed, her voice shaking.

Kevin, unsure of what to do, decided to clear his throat and step into the kitchen. Both women looked up, startled, and worry filled their eyes when they saw who it was.

"Kevin, did you hear all that?" It was Camille, speaking softly. Becca visibly took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"Hear what?" Playing innocent seemed the best role, sparing them mortification. "I'm just going to put the towels in the dryer. Dee will be down in a minute to help."

Camille gave him a shrewd look and decided to buy it. "That would be great. And, Kevin, I hear you're a fantastic coffee maker. Could you help us with that when you come back up?"

A smile broke across his face. "Love to. Dee taught me. She's promised to show me how to boil water next."

Deonne hurried into the kitchen a few minutes later. "Did you get it done? Where is it? Where's Kevin? He didn't see, did he?" she said in a rush, "Darn! I should have taken him up on his offer to clean up together; it would have kept him busy!" Oops. Shouldn't have said that last part.

Chuckling, Becca replied, "Relax. It's all under control. He hasn't seen a thing and he just went downstairs. It's in the fridge on the back porch."

Deonne had called Kevin's mother to find out how to make his favorite Thanksgiving dish, orange fluff fruit salad. Taking a peek in the fridge, she was about to peel the plastic back for a finger full when Kevin stuck his head around the corner.

Slamming the door, her face full of guilt, she straightened.

"Kevin!" Wrapping her arms around his neck she gave him a kiss.

Pulling her off him he said with a smile, "Keep out of the food little girl, you'll ruin your dinner. Where do you keep the coffee filters?"

"Oh! Oh. They're right in here." She pulled the porch door behind her closed and turned to open the cabinet above the coffee pot.

"Becca, where's Dan?"

"He's on Dad's bed sleeping. He got in late last night." She had an odd look on her face, was it guilt? Deonne noticed that Kevin, his back turned putting coffee into the basket, had a huge grin on his face.

"Maybe I ought to go get him up. Can you put these potatoes in the serving bowl and get the sweet potatoes out of the top oven? Oh, and we've elected you to make the gravy."

Deonne groaned. Their mother always made the gravy and none of them had mastered it. It had been decided that Deonne's was the least frightening. "Sure. Someone tell Paul to get in here. He knows more about biological disasters than any of us."

*****

"I declare Thanksgiving dinner a success!" Becca proclaimed as they were putting things away. 

The kids were playing games or watching a movie upstairs in Andrew's room, which had a spare TV in it and the men had moved into the living room to catch the rest of the Cowboy's game. 




Ready Ch. 03



"I agree!" Deonne added, wrapping up the rest of the turkey leftovers. "Did you see how much of that orange stuff Kevin put on his plate?" All three of them laughed.

"That was a good recipe, I need to get that from you," Camille added.

Coming into the kitchen Phil went up behind his wife and put his arms around her. Marc came in trailing him, hunting for pie.

"You all will have to get by on your own. My wife has been in this kitchen since morning and I'm taking her out of here," Phil proclaimed.

"Phil! I can't just leave, there's too much to do!" but he was pulling her out the door.

"You can and you will. I recommend you girls go recruit some help. We're going out."

"Where you going?"

"We're gonna hang out with some of my redneck high school friends," he replied with a twinkle in his eye. Camille rolled her eyes.

"If we're late," he continued, "put George to bed for us."

"Phil's right, Becca, you've been at it non-stop, too, since you got here on Tuesday. Go in and watch the game with your husband," Deonne said.

"I'm not leaving you with this!"

"Go on, Becca, she's right. I'll help Dee with the rest," Marc joined in.

"Okay, you've talked me into it. I wanna see Green Bay beat the Cowboys."

Quietly Marc and Deonne worked side-by-side finishing up the pots. Night had settled over the farm and a cold front had moved in causing the kitchen window in front of Deonne to frost. She noticed the kitchen curtain was dirty and vowed to take it down tomorrow and wash it.

"He's met someone," Marc said quietly.

Deonne turned her head towards him with a question on her face before realization set in. Her dad. Unexpected and unbelievable pain moved through her.

"She's real nice. She works at the Kroger's in town. You went to school with one of her sons, Mike Connolly."

"Mike Connolly! Mike Connolly? He's one of the biggest jerks who ever walked the face of the planet!"

Chuckling, he reminded her, "You know, we all grow up. Even Mike Connolly. He's a pretty decent guy from what I can see. And his mom's really nice." His face grew serious again.

Deonne was blinking rapidly. She did not want to cry. The idea of another woman with her dad almost made her ill. As she looked around the kitchen, she imagined some other lady making this room her own, putting in her own touches. The pain was so sharp, she almost doubled over.

Marc dried his hands and turned towards his sister. Seeing her fighting tears he wrapped his arms around her.

"I know it's hard Dee, but you have to work through this," he told her as he rubbed her shoulders, massaging them. "You're the reason he didn't invite her here today."

"Me?" Then it dawned on her. "I'm the only one who doesn't know, huh?"

He nodded.

Her forehead wrinkled as she tried, and failed, to control her emotions. Fresh tears began to fall and she wiped at them with the back of her hand. She felt so awful that her Dad was compelled to keep it from her, but the thought of another woman was unbearable.

"He knew it would be hardest for you."

"Why? Why is it hard for me and not anyone else?" Her tears were still dropping and she wiped her hand across her nose before placing it over her eyes.

"Because, honey, you haven't worked it all out yet. We were here and you weren't. We are here and you aren't. We've all pretty much grieved and we still miss her, but we're used to it, or we've dealt with it, whatever. But, Deonne, when you come home you still look around like you expect Mom to walk in from the other room. You stand in front of that damned piano and look at it and her picture like it was yesterday she passed." Pulling her closely he pressed her head to his shoulder, his own eyes shining from unshed tears.

"She never blamed you."

Deonne glanced up at him with questioning eyes.

"For not being here. She was so proud of you. When anyone came to visit, she would tell them about her daughter at the Naval Academy who was going to fly jets. She didn't want you here, watching her die. Let go of the guilt, Dee." He continued to rub her hair, letting her think.

"I wanted to be here. I didn't get to say good-bye," she whispered into his chest. "I wanted to hug her one last time."

"You were home at Christmas Deonne, and you said goodbye then. You knew it was goodbye. She said her goodbye to you then. After you left her meds just kept going up, she was hardly awake and barely coherent when she was. Let it go."

They stood like that for long moments. John came to the door and stopped. Realizing what was happening he nodded to his brother and quietly backed away.

"You have to deal with this and soon. You have to let him feel free to have this woman. He deserves it. Eventually he'll bring her around anyway, whether you like it or not, but Deonne, do you really want that?" Marc looked her in the eyes, the joking, happy-go-lucky guy was nowhere to be seen.

Deonne looked at him and pulled her lips in, trying to get it together, and nodded. "I'll try."

"That's all you can do, but with you, it'll be enough."

"They put you up to this, didn't they?"

"Who else?" he replied with a smile.

Yes, who else? They all knew that Marc was her favorite, that they had always had a special bond. When she was little, Marc would put up with her following him around with good humor. Because he played the drums, she had wanted to learn and he had spent hours working with her. Marc had loved animals and she had loved animals, so they often partnered for barn duties. When their mother had died, Marc had flown in to tell her in person, so she wouldn't have to be alone and had traveled with her back home. Who else?

*****

Deonne was standing in the living room beside the piano. It was late, and almost everyone had gone home or to bed. Some were still in the kitchen sharing time and coffee. Her eyes were resting on the photo of an auburn-haired woman. Her mother smiled back at her from the past. She was tall, slightly heavyset. Not beautiful, but full of life, the twinkle in her eyes could not be hidden behind large glasses. Had it really been five years?

Every time she came into this room she could see her mother sitting at the piano. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon kids would traipse in and out for their weekly lessons, bringing in much needed cash for their large family. Deonne had been her worst student, refusing to take it seriously and goofing off during practice times. Finally, after two frustrating years, her mother had let her quit.

"Honey," she recalled her mother warning her, "when you're older you'll wish you had stuck with it."

She wished she had stuck with it. Her finger pushed down on a single key, its lonely sound echoed the emptiness in her heart as it weakly floated around the quiet room.

Coming up behind her, Kevin slipped his arms around her. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he saw what had her attention.

"I still miss her so much."

"I know you do, baby."

"My dad has a girlfriend." She almost choked on the words.

Kevin waited. Deonne remained silent and still as a stone.

"And you can't imagine someone taking your mother's place?" he finally asked.

Deonne shook her head, unable to speak.

"How long's it been, Deonne?" He knew the answer, but she needed to say it.

"Almost five years."

"That's a long time, babe. It's not like you just buried her and he's brought in a quick replacement."

His comment angered her.

"You don't understand..."

"What's not to understand? Five years is a damned long time for a man to be rattling around all alone."

"You don't get it," she tried to make him understand in a raised voice. Hurt at his lack of sympathy she pulled away and turned towards him.

"How can he bring another woman into this house? Look," she pointed to the couch, "my mother picked that out! And those curtains! She made those! How can he bring another woman into this house, see her sitting on my mother's things, touching them? How can he take that woman into her bed?"

"Where the hell else is he going to take her, Deonne? The man's a damn farmer! He's tied to this place and a ghost is no comfort on a cold night."

Her eyes snapped at him, shooting daggers. Why was he being so mean? So offensive? She started for the door. She didn't need this. But he stepped in front of her, cutting off her exit. Grabbing her arms, he looked hard into her face.

"Listen, Deonne. I understand how you feel, but you have to think of your father. Do you want him to spend the rest of his life alone? He's not that old. You want him to be here by himself for the next thirty years just so you can come home and see your mother's things untouched?"

Dropping his voice, he went on, "Is that what your mother would want? Would she want her husband to sit around pining for her year after year? That's not the woman I hear everyone talk about, the generous woman who put others ahead of herself. I know that if something happened to me, I wouldn't want my wife to spend the rest of her days alone. It's his life, and he's ready to move forward with it."

Turning her head away, she stared at the floor. She couldn't respond, but he was right. They stood there in silence. Kevin continued to hold her arms, waiting. Finally he stepped backward, pulling her to the couch with him. Sitting down he pulled her down next to him and wrapped his arm around her. Looking down he picked up her left hand with his. Her fingers were thin and long, the nails cut short, practical. They looked so frail next to his. He rubbed his thumb up and down her ring finger before folding her fingers carefully in his hand and laying them on his thigh, unwilling to let go.

"Tell me a memory you have of your mother."

Her response was immediate. "Coming into the kitchen after school. She was always baking something. Cookies, a cake, maybe a pudding..."

"Banana pudding. From scratch," Kevin added. He knew because Deonne had made it for him once.

"Yes!" she agreed with a smile.

"You'll always have that Deonne. That memory. And you carry on that legacy; it's a piece of your mother that lives on in you. You shared it earlier today with all of us in those pumpkin pies. It will never go anywhere, even when this couch falls apart and gets replaced, the curtains get taken down. And all of you carry something of your mother with you."

"I never thought of that," she admitted as she wiped at the tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "When did you get so smart?"

"Girl! I keep tryin' to tell ya, but do you listen? Babe, you gotta listen ta the brotha!"

With that he bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

A throat cleared. Jerking their heads back Deonne and Kevin looked up to see Becca standing in the doorway, Dan behind her, a big grin on his face.

"Sorry to break this little love fest up, but Deonne, you need to get your stuff out of the bedroom. Dan and I need to go to bed and there isn't another room for us. You get the couch, I guess. Sorry." Not so much, not from the look on her face.

Ten minutes later she plunked her stuff on the floor by the couch. It wouldn't be the first time. Looking at the coffee table she saw two mugs of hot chocolate.

"I thought you might like some." Kevin smiled at her.

"I do! How sweet."

"That's me. Sweet Kevin," he grinned down at her. Spreading his legs, he pulled her next to him and wiggled his dick back and forth on her stomach.

"Sweet, huh? More like rotten."

"That's not the impression I get when you're lickin' and slurpin' on my dick!" He rubbed his hard cock against her for emphasis. He grinned at the small blush that formed on her cheeks.


Her shyness amazed him. Even now she was always slow to get comfortable with him after a lengthy separation. Bending down he rubbed the side of his nose against hers, nuzzling before kissing her.

"Maybe I need to demonstrate just how sweet I can be," he whispered and smiled into her mouth.

"Not on your life, Big Daddy. Not here, not now, no way."

Smiling at her, he asked, "Why baby, don't you know you're in the love parlor?"

"What?"

Running his tongue over his teeth, he continued smiling.

"Well, last night the front door opening woke me up. I didn't realize anyone would be coming in late, so I listened. I decided maybe one of your brothers had gone out late and was just coming in. But after a while I realized there was still noise coming from downstairs, so decided maybe I should check it out, just in case. I get down here and what do I see? Well, some man and Becca are gettin' real busy here on the couch."

"That's why she was acting so odd in the kitchen! And you were grinning! I wondered what that was all about." She shook her head, a big smile splitting her face. "Those two have never had any discretion. They've been goin' at it like rabbits all over this place since she brought him home the first time. Welcome to the Becca and Dan Voyeur Club."

"You're kidding?"

Deonne took a sip of her chocolate and licked her upper lip.

"I wish I were. We've caught them everywhere." Digging into her cup she pulled out a large marshmallow and sucked off the creamy bottom. Kevin nearly groaned out loud.

"Well, we'd better get busy if we're going to catch up!"

"Ho, no, bubba. I'm not going to be the laughing stock of the family. Becca can keep her position."

She popped the rest of the marshmallow into her mouth and Kevin couldn't take it any longer. Carefully he took the cup from her and set it on the table before picking up her other hand and put the sticky thumb and two fingers in his mouth. She watched as he sucked and licked his tongue around her fingers before spreading them and sucking each one into his mouth.

"Mmm, baby. So sweet. Let me have some of that sweet little mouth now."

Holding her arm, he pulled her sticky hand out, bringing her mouth up to his. His lips barely touched hers before she was opening up to him, eager for his thrust.

Dear God, how did he do it? Moisture was running out of her, her pussy instantly ready, no need for a warm up.

"Damn. As much as I'd love to take you on the couch, you're right. I can't do this with your daddy at the top of the stairs. It would be a hell of a way to go, but the idea of it all being over when the buckshot hit my back is just enough to stop me."

"He hasn't shot Dan yet," she giggled.

"That's one lucky dude is all I can say."

"Well, let's finish our chocolate like good little children then." It was her turn to pull him to the couch. When he sat next to her, she handed him his chocolate, now cool.

Kevin looked over at her as an open, mildly amused look lit his face.

"What?"

"I was just wonderin'. Why you so short? Your family are fuckin' Amazons."

She burst out with a laugh. Nobody called her short. Then she looked at him with a straight face, "Because I prayed to God everyday that he wouldn't make me a giant."

He laughed.

"You think I'm joking? It was my most fervent prayer. It was either that or recessive genes. Both my grandmothers aren't tall."

When they finished their drinks, Deonne reached behind her and pulled the quilt off the back of the couch, covering them. After a while Kevin stretched out along the back and tucked Deonne next to him, adjusting the blanket. Within minutes she was asleep.

As she lay against him he felt her breathing grow slower and deeper, the delicate skin of her waist rising and falling under his hand. He shifted his leg into the curve of hers and wondered at the perfect fit of their bodies. Inhaling the soft, fresh scent of her shampoo, a feeling of deep contentment settled over him. He pulled her tighter to him. How the hell was he going to let go of her at the airport on Sunday?

*****

Deonne woke in the middle of the night to the feeling of Kevin's hand gently rubbing and fondling her breast. Almost casually it meandered up over her chest and back down again, squeezing and lightly tugging on her nipple through the thin satin bra before moving down to caress her stomach in a slow circle under her bellybutton then taking a leisurely path back to her breast.

With each pass his hand would travel just a little closer to the heat that was growing between her legs and Deonne's insides tingled at the thought of his hand moving lower, his fingers sliding in her pussy juices, dipping into her quivering lips. Rub, fondle, up, over, squeeze, tug, caress and circle. Over and over his hand repeated its lazy route and with each pass of rough, warm skin over soft, gentle curves the small ripple of desire grew stronger until it was a rolling wave of wonton need across her body. Deonne felt his growing hardness against her bottom as she wiggled and rocked against him, her body silently begging for him to take her.

God, he was driving her crazy. She desperately hoped this wasn't his only plan when she felt his smile on her neck before his wet tongue moved to her ear. His hand slipped inside her pants and down into her creamy folds, cupping her before stroking a large middle finger into her wetness. 

"Fuck me," she whispered. Her hands found her buckle and the snap of her jeans as she and Kevin showed amazing coordination skills getting them off and his cock free.

Kevin ran his hand down her pelvis, placing her leg over his. She was giddy with the need to feel his cock spread her quivering pussy lips. And then he was there, his blunt, hard head spreading and stretching her, his thick length filling her. Slowly, he pushed into her slick warmth before drawing back, each thrust sliding deeper, each trip taking him further and further into her channel until finally his hips rested against her ass.

Deonne lay still, allowing her excited inner muscles to clutch and release his hard length as the feeling of completeness washed over her. Never had Deonne felt with anyone like she did when Kevin took her. She wondered if Kevin felt the same way, or was she alone in feeling this unique bond?

Soon they were rocking gently together and Deonne sighed as she felt him moving in and out of her; the mandate for silence somehow making this tender coupling more exciting. Kevin swirled his fingers over her clit, circling the tender flesh and Deonne bit her lip to keep from moaning. She was growing more engorged, more sensitive to the fullness and friction of his cock deep within her and was desperate for him to speed up, to stroke faster.

Splitting those fingers down either side of her swollen clit, Kevin grasped the little nub and pulled, stretching it before they slipped over the super-sensitive tip. A small unstoppable cry erupted from Deonne. Back and forth his fingers tugged and pinched the vulnerable flesh, teasing and tormenting, pushing her higher and higher. She was close, so close.

The rhythm of Deonne's hips picked up as her climax started to pulsate out from her wet pussy. Kevin's short, deep thrusts bumping against her grew more intense and his fingers on her more demanding.

"Oh, yeah, that's it. You feel so good, babe," he whispered into her ear between stuttered breaths.

Deonne grabbed her tits and twisted the agitated tips as pleasure ran down every nerve, bending her forward, drawing her body taut. Kevin wrapped his arm tight against her hips to keep her on the couch and stop the thrusting friction from driving him over the edge.

Little by little she calmed though they were both still breathing hard and Kevin released his death hold. Inhaling the lavender scent he had come to expect whenever she was near, he gave himself a moment to recover before starting a slow pump into her again, this time allowing the tempo to increase and his cock to drive deep with each thrust. 

The old, well-worn and practiced couch gave off a tale-tell rhythmic creak, but Kevin was too overcome with need to do anything about it or to care. Her wetness was all over him, running down his sac. His soaked pubic hair stuck to her ass as he moved against her, giving him a gentle massage. Hot breath rushed out of his lungs as he felt her soft inner walls slide against him and the pulsing tightness pull him to deliverance. Shifting, Kevin grasped both hips in his shaking hands as the sweet pain of denied release demanded he start ramming his cock up into her. 




Ready Ch. 03



As he felt her shuddering and jerking with her second orgasm, need tore through him and he thrust hard, driving into her over and over, shot after shot of come erupting from him, coating her insides.

Spent, Deonne leaned back against his chest feeling it rise and fall as Kevin finished pumping, his dick softening inside her. Reaching one arm over her shoulder seeking his head, she tenderly rubbed the side of his face.

"I can't take you anywhere, you naughty boy," she whispered and they both snickered.

"I do seem to recall the farmer's daughter ordering me to, and I quote, 'Fuck me'. So, better get your pants on, slut, before someone comes to investigate," he whispered back.

"Oh, gee."

*****

Mama Don't Live Here Anymore

Deonne inhaled. She had been looking for the right moment all day, but there just hadn't been one, this was as good as it was going to get and she couldn't put it off any longer. It was time to talk to her Dad.

"Daddy?"

"Hey, Deonne," her father replied, looking up from the twenty-four hour news station over his shoulder to where she stood by the door.

"Where's that man of yours?" her father asked. She decided to take that as a good sign.

"Oh, he's off with Phil and Little George, getting a local tour."

Deciding to forgo the small talk, she started with Kevin. Funny how this seemed like a big deal on the way here, but now talking to her father about him wasn't much of a concern. The other thing she had to discuss was much harder.

"Daddy, what do you think of Kevin? Can I keep him?" she joked.

"I don't know Deonne, I figure that's up to you," he replied seriously to her joke. "Do you want to keep him?"

"I think so. What do you really think?"

"Deonne, are you really asking?"

"I guess I am."

"He seems like an alright boy. Anybody willing to put his life on the line for his country like that always stands higher in my book, any day of the week, but that's just me. Especially now when there's lots of other opportunities out there for an educated young man and it ain't popular right now to be in the military. I think your mother would a' liked him real well, too. But then," he smiled at her, "she liked everybody, didn't she?" He got quiet for a while.

"I guess you're plannin' to get out then?" he asked.

"I've always thought I would get out after my obligation, but my job is so exciting. If I didn't have Kevin or a future to think of, it would be really tempting to stay in. They've offered me post-grad school, or maybe test pilot school if I re-up."

Her dad chuckled. "They sure know how to bait the hook, don't they? You know, I always figured you'd end up staying in."

"Really?" She was surprised.

"Yep. You always did like a cheap thrill. You like anything that moves: cars, tractors, roller coasters... bikes... horses, you name it! And the faster the better. I remember finding you plowin' 'nat cornfield down by the river s' fast it was nothing but a big dirt cloud! I didn't think a single seed would make it. None of those boys worried me like you did."

They both laughed at the memories and Deonne found she was comforted by the easy cadence of the local dialect as her father spoke, realizing how much her own speech had changed since leaving the area.

"But I've never known anyone who likes security more 'n you," her father continued. "You like knowing how things are going to be, you like it predictable and safe. You don't like change. I think going off to the Naval Academy was probably the bravest thing you've ever done. But now you understand the Navy, you're part of it, so it's safe for you. I thought you might just take the easy road. 'Course, I didn't figure a man into the equation, thought you'd just find yourself some safe, easy Navy guy." He smiled at her.

"Yeah," she said quietly as she let what had to be one of the longest conversations she'd ever had with her dad settle into her brain.

"So, I hear you have a girlfriend." Deonne was proud of how well that came out.

Her father leaned forward in his chair and stared at her. She tried to not wiggle from the tough scrutiny.

"They finally told you, huh?" He scratched his forehead.

"You like her a lot?"

"Yep, I do." He was never short for words, she thought wryly, grinning.

"Not going to give me any more than that, huh?" she chided.

"Nope."

"Well, I hope she gets more out of you than I do!"

The smile fell from her face.

"I'm sorry you didn't feel you could invite her to Thanksgiving because of me."

"It's okay, Dee. I would like you two t' meet, but I'm not doing that until I know you can behave."

"Daddy!"

"Seriously, Deonne. I know how you can get sometimes. That mouth gets ahead of your brain. She's a nice lady and doesn't deserve it."

"Okay, okay! I think I can behave if you bring her over for dinner tonight, or tomorrow."

"That's not good enough."

Sighing, she tried again. "Alright. I swear on the grave of John Paul Jones I will be on my best behavior."

"Good," he decided with a grin, settling back in his recliner, "'cause I believe that's her car I hear pulling up right now."

"Daddy!" She jumped up and looked down at her finger-paint splattered t-shirt and realized she hadn't brushed her hair since morning.

The doorbell rang and her father went to answer it. She watched as a thin woman of average height with short light brown hair just starting to gray stepped through the door. A small knot formed in Deonne's stomach.

"Helen, you know you don't have to ring the doorbell! Come on in and meet Deonne."

Her father gave the woman a small hug and Deonne tried to tamp down the feeling of betrayal that overwhelmed her. Her mother was the only one who should get those hugs, but her mother was gone, he was betraying no one.

Deonne found herself rooted to the floor, the knot was now a large stone. The older woman walked over to her with a warm smile and an outstretched hand.

"Deonne! It's so nice to finally meet you. Your father's told me so much about you. It's nice to see more 'n a picture. I think it's just wonderful how you're servin' our country!" She continued to smile at Deonne.

She sure is a talky thing, Deonne thought as she took the woman's hand. She realized she was staring at Helen's Toby Keith t-shirt. Her father loved country music. Her mother had not appreciated it, preferring classical.

"Mrs. Connolly, I just realized how late it's getting. I need to get to the kitchen and start supper."

"Oh my! Call me Helen, honey! And I'd love to help."

Deonne looked at her father with an earnest look on her face. Please don't leave me alone with this woman!

"You ladies go ahead. I need to go call the cows in," and with that he headed towards the door.

"We're not having anything special, just spaghetti," Deonne mumbled.

"Anything that doesn't look like a Thanksgiving leftover sounds wonderful to me!" Helen replied.

"Well, it's easy to feed a crowd with it and it's pretty quick."

Soon they were sitting at the table sipping soft drinks, the sauce simmering and everything waiting for the returning masses.

Deonne ran her finger through the condensation on her glass.

"How did you meet my dad?" She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer, but she needed to push herself, to make herself accept it.

"I had a flat tire out on Route 923. He pulled over to help and I swear to God I almost passed out from fear! I thought I was about to be attacked by a giant ex-con!"

Deonne laughed. Her dad had always had that effect on people. He looked like he would be more comfortable on a Harley than a John Deere.

"But he was really s' nice. He was a perfect gentleman. My spare had dry-rotted and he ended up driving me into town to get a new tire. That man wasted half his day on me!"

Helen looked down at her hands on her glass then back at Deonne.

"I know this is hard for you all, your dad bringing another lady around and all. You're mother seems like she was just a wonderful woman. Like someone I would've loved to have known."

Deonne could only nod, her throat had clogged up and no words would come to her.

"I'm no replacement for your mother. I couldn't be that. I wouldn't want to be that. But I like your dad a whole lot. I've been divorced a long time and I thought I'd never meet anyone. I didn't realize how lonely I was until you're dad came along. You kids are real important to him. I just hope you all keep letting me share him."

Damn it all to hell, how could she hate this woman?



Ready Ch. 04



The Mating Ritual

Deonne leaned against the car window as Kevin drove them the two hours to the hotel. Leaving her family was always hard to do, but this time was especially difficult as it was also her last day with Kevin. The thought of it felt like a cold pressure all over her body. Her breathing grew shallow, and her stomach clinched. Every time they had to part she felt like a little piece of her was dying.

As the miles rolled along, her mind went back to their early relationship. Relationship? No, far from it! If someone had told her back in college that someday she would fall in love with Kevin Banning, she would have laughed hysterically! Gazing out of the window, yet not seeing, she recalled, the memory was still so clear.

Deonne lay in bed awake. The tears having dried up a while ago, she felt she must have cried them all out. Her mother was dying. A pain so raw and intense had settled in her, so powerful it was worse than physical pain. She had not told anyone. How could she? Her situation demanded self-constraint, and to let go and share would have caused non-stop emotion that could not end at a fixed time. She was a junior at the United States Naval Academy. Finally, alone in her room at her weekend host parents' house, she had allowed herself to dwell on her mother.

Glancing at the clock she saw it was 2:28 a.m. She needed a drink. She had barely touched food this week, her stomach in a constant knot. Having cried a river of tears this evening she felt dehydrated.

Slipping out of her room, she pattered quietly down the hallway and down the stairs. She noticed that the kitchen light was already on. Slowing she caught sight of a dark broad back, thick muscled and well defined, his hips leaning against the island. Damn.

Kevin, the brother of a fellow classmate, James, who shared the same host family, was sipping a glass of orange juice. Kevin had received his Army commission the previous spring and was stopping to see his brother between training and his first assignment. Over the previous two years he had been an occasional thorn in her side, someone to be avoided, a pretty-boy prick. She stopped just outside the doorway, unsure. Maybe she should turn back.

Without turning Kevin spoke up, his deep voice startling her, "Quit hovering little girl. I don't bite."

Sighing, she wondered, how does he do that? How does he manage to make me feel so silly and awkward? Sucking in her breath, she put on what she hoped was her game face and walked into the kitchen, forcing as much bravado into her comment as she could muster. 

"Don't you?"

"You're not exactly my taste, so don't worry," he replied, turning his head to give her his usual look of distain. He always seemed to look right through her bluster, then reach in and rip out her heart.

She had no witty comeback. Damn. She had no fight in her now. Taking a deep breath she cautiously approached the cabinet where the glasses were kept to stand between him and the counter, his long legs, crossed in front of him, taking much of the space. She didn't trust her voice enough to demand he move.

Slowly opening the door so as not to accidentally bump into the sexy prick, she reached for a glass. She always became a klutz around him. Well, more of one than usual. Her breath was growing shallow. She must be some kind of pervert for even now her body was betraying her. She would give anything to put this asshole in his place. If she never saw him again, it would be too soon, and here was her pussy twitching, her body longing for contact, affection of any kind. She couldn't breathe right, couldn't think straight over a guy who looked at her like she was a piece of warm shit.

Watching her, he raised both eyebrows, correctly interpreting her cautious movements.

"Need some help?" he asked suddenly into the quiet. 

Startled, she jerked her arm bumping the glass into the side of the cabinet, causing it to fly out of her hand and smash to the floor.  Damn! Damn, damn, damn! Totally flustered and blinking rapidly, unexpected tears welling up, she spun around and bent over to start picking up the pieces.

"Don't do that. I'll get the broom."

Ignoring him, she continued to pick up the bigger pieces. Looking down she noticed blood starting to run down her hand. Hoping he wouldn't notice, she carefully walked to the trashcan to throw away the broken bits she was carrying.

Walking across the large kitchen with a broom in one hand and dustpan in the other, he stopped when he saw three little drops of blood on the floor.

She heard his heavy sigh. Busted. Striding over to her, he grabbed her wrist and, avoiding the glass, he dragged her to the sink. His long sinewy fingers pulled her hand under the cool water, rinsing the blood from the cut. Holding her hand under the light, he carefully pulled a sliver of glass from the small cut before pressing his thumb over it to stop the bleeding.

His tender, efficient movements contrasted with his usual careless attitude toward her. Looking up her eyes caught his and quickly fell back to stare at his lean fingers on hers. Her breath caught, he always caused a stirring in her. God, pull yourself together, Deonne!

"I don't know how you fuckin' survive the Naval Academy."

Sucking her lips in, trying to control her emotions, she tried to free her arm from Kevin's hand, but he held on firmly.

"Un-uh. We need to put on some ointment and a bandage," he told her firmly, pulling her across the kitchen towards the bathroom medicine cabinet.

Normally he would push her buttons hard enough that she would forget herself and return his hostile fire, but tonight there was nothing in her. He was right, how did she survive the Naval Academy? She got a daily ration of pressure and judgment overwhelming enough to make anyone break and the point of it was to build character and mold them into officers who could think and react rationally under severe combat pressure. She had made it three years, this summer she would be a detailer, and be screaming her lungs out insulting incoming freshmen.

She was going to face men just as tough as Kevin when she got her commission, and in much more difficult situations. Heck, she grew up with tough men and her freshman year had been hell on earth. What was it about him?

Jerking her hand from his she finally broke free. "I'm fully capable of bandaging my own hand. So, you can go now," she barked, trying to dismiss him.

"Are you?" he smirked. 

Turning back into the small bathroom, he reached into the cabinet and grabbed the box of Band-Aids and ointment. Looking back at her his eyes pointed to the toilet seat, clearly expecting her to sit and let him administer aid. Trying to stare him down, she reached out for the supplies.

"Will you just sit the fuck down?"

Plopping on the toilet seat, she thrust her hand out.

Sorting through the box of Band-Aids to find the right one, he asked, "So, Deonne, what special career is the illustrious United States Navy going to entrust you with?" Coming up with one that pleased him, he squeezed some antibiotic onto its pad. 

Deonne stared at his hands again. He had beautiful manly hands. What would those fingers feel like on her breasts?

When she failed to answer he looked at her face catching the hunger in her green eyes. Pulling his head back slightly his eyes narrowed, watching her closely.

Straightening her features, she answered, "Aviation. I've just passed the first round of testing and the physical."

"What kind of flying?" He gently placed the bandage on her hand, rubbing the ends carefully, making sure they stuck.

"Fighters, hopefully."

"God help us!" he exclaimed in mock horror. "You..." he said carefully and distinctly, "you might be doing close air support?" Being in special operations, close air support was near and dear to his heart.

"Fuck you!" Snapping, anger tore through her with unbelievable intensity, replacing her timidity. How dare he mock her! Standing quickly she glared several inches up into his face, so close their bodies touched, breathing hard.

"You Goddamn fucking asshole! Fuck you! What do you know about me? About my abilities? I've fought my way through three years of the Naval Academy! I've worked my ass off getting an engineering degree! I already am a pilot! And I'm good! How dare you fuckin' mock me, you prick!"

Anger continued to roll through her. Without thinking she reached up and shoved hard at his chest trying to move him out of her way. His failure to budge angered her even more and she found herself swinging at his face. Grabbing her arm as he stumbled back he jerked her to him. Out of control she swung her other arm around, connecting with the side of his head. She was so fucking mad. Anger, blistering hot, flowed out of her. As his powerful arms forced hers to halt their assault, her body jerked and slammed against him; hot tears welling up in her eyes.

"Un-uh. Can't have that, little girl, you're going to break something," he cautioned, forcing both her arms behind her back, securing them both with one of his large hands, drawing her tight against his body.

"And quit calling me 'little girl' you condescending motherfucker," she screamed at him before he mashed his hand hard against her mouth fearing she would wake the Andersons. 

What the fuck? Was she really this mad at him? He did find her newly discovered potty mouth amusing. And here he had worried that she wasn't learning anything at Belly Button U. She obviously had passed Cuss Like A Sailor 101.

Damn, but she was sexy when she got mad. Her hair mussed, eyes wild, her body vibrating passion. Though he would never admit it, he loved to see the fire in her eyes, angry heat pouring off her. She irritated the hell out of him, but he figured the reason he couldn't stop toying with her was the charge he got from her reaction. His body was still reacting to her earlier heated look. She had no idea how sexy she looked. Before he could think he was pulling her towards him, kissing her hard, and shoving his tongue into her mouth.

Shocked at his reaction, too stunned to move, she stood still. Deonne's brain registered the orange flavor from his drink mingling with his own unique taste as her whole body throbbed, wanting this. Her brain screamed at her.  Stop him! How dare he? Her mouth was kissing him back, desperate for his touch, but her hands shoved at his chest trying to break free, a war going on inside her. Holding her tight against him, he didn't feel her feeble pushes. Finally her mixed signals registered and he pulled his lips off her, still holding her close.

"Let go, girl, just feel," he feverishly whispered, bending down again, his free hand tangled in her hair, pulling her back as his full lips closed over hers, his tongue pushing into her mouth. 

Fighting him, she pulled her tongue back, avoiding his, leaning her head back hard into his hand trying to get free. Lifting his lips off hers, his fist pulled on her hair, giving her a little jerk. 

"Stop it," he stated firmly, an edge to his voice. "Give me your tongue, baby, you want this as much as I do."

God, he was right. She slipped her tongue under his.

"Now, put it in my mouth," he murmured, his lips still touching hers. 

Obeying, she tentatively pushed her tongue past his lips, feeling them close around her. Slowly she fucked his lips with her small tongue. It was so amazingly erotic, her wet tongue sliding over his soft inner lips, a role reversal.

Her pussy was crying out for attention, her panties were soaked. Pure instinct had her climbing over his thigh. Wanton, she rubbed herself on his leg, desperate to peak, to end this struggle and feel the pleasure course through her body. Oh, God. I need to get there, I need to feel it, she thought. She was humping his leg hard now, her arms around his back, hands clenched into tight fists.

"Uh ... uh, ohh... gaw... d... ah, ahhh." Deonne's words were coming out in soft whispers. Her t-shirt night gown was pushed up, Kevin's hands spanning her waist, enjoying the feel of her body moving under his hands.

"My, my. What a hot little thing you've turned out to be. That's right, baby. Let me see you come." Kevin pushed back with his leg against her pussy. Running his hand down her back, he slipped it under her panties, palming her ass. Pulling her closer, his mouth took over the kiss.

Then she remembered. Her mother was dying. Numbness washed through her, stopping her cold. Kevin instantly felt the change.

Jerking herself free, she stared at him wide-eyed. "Oh, God," she panted. "What am I doing?"

Turning, she ran back to her room, stumbling and tripping up the stairs.

Kevin stood, arms falling to his sides, watching her run off.

Her mother had died eight months later.

"Do you want to stop and eat?" he cut into her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. They were on the outskirts of the city and would be staying at a nice hotel downtown.

"No."

"What are you thinking about? You've been so quiet this whole trip. Do you have something on your mind?" Kevin asked. He kept glancing at her expectantly.

"Us," she replied.

"Good."

"I was thinking about back in college. When we kissed for the first time."

"Well, that just proves my point," he said cryptically.

"What point? You haven't spoken for two hours, silly!"

"Oh, babe, you know. We've been having this conversation for months. We're an 'us'. And we have been since way before we first realized it. Why do you fight it?"

"Fight it? Do I look like I'm fighting it?" she insisted, "And I beg to differ on the part that we were any sort of an 'us' in college! You hated me!"

"Oh, I didn't hate you, and we were definitely an 'us'. We were just going through a mating ritual!"

"A mating ritual? Is that what you call that? And I do remember you had a girlfriend during most of college!" 

She hated thinking of the lovely, perfect Shawntee. Deonne had taken any chance to give Kevin a hard time about her calling her his Miss Spelman College or The Beauty Queen or her personal favorite, The Trophy. Kevin's eyes would narrow and she would mentally lick her finger and chalk one up for her side. Unfortunately, he was always ahead in the partner slam game mocking Jared's Boston accent, laughing hysterically upon hearing he was on the fencing team.

"Like that mattered. But my point is that we should be together. Why do you keep holding back?" he asked.

"I'm not."

Say you love me, say you care. Tell me I'm more than just a fuck you can't get enough of, thought Deonne.

"Then get out and come be with me, Dee," Kevin started pushing.

She glared at him.

"My point," he stated sharply at her refusal to answer, his eyes starting to show anger.

"I don't want to talk about this now. We just go in circles," she complained.

"Fine," he snapped.

***** Anger Management?

Lounging on the hotel bed flipping though a brochure looking for something to do, she watched Kevin place his toiletry kit by the sink, his long muscular legs moving with athletic assurance. Deonne couldn't take her eyes off him as he moved to hang his outfit for tomorrow in the wardrobe. She found herself wanting to run her hands over his beautiful sculpted back as he worked, and slip her arms around his trim waist to feel his hard stomach under her roaming fingertips.

He was such a neat dresser, he even made the jeans and red Henley shirt he was wearing look better than a marketing ad, she thought. Deonne kept a photo in her purse of him in Afghanistan looking decidedly more primitive with the sleeves ripped off his camouflage shirt, his hair several inches longer, a beard covering his face, and a short machinegun gripped in his hand casually at his side.

"Hey, maybe we can go to this interesting Brazilian restaurant and then head over to that dance club the concierge told us about."

He didn't reply.

"Kevin?" she asked. "Something wrong?"

He was looking too serious, his movements not as graceful as usual. Actually, as she watched she realized he was getting more and more forceful with his things.

"No, baby. Nothing's wrong," he answered in a decidedly snide manner. "I'm just wondering when you're going to get around to telling me."

"Telling you what?"

"Oh, come on Deonne. It's your specialty these days; it's almost an art form! Keeping stuff from people. When the fuck were you going to tell me you're deploying?"

She looked down in shame and closed her eyes.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"My first clue was that you clammed up a couple months ago. You always tell me what's going on at work, with the fleet, whatever the buzz is. Plus, it's just been too damn long. Then when your little brother mentioned it like it was common knowledge, well, sister, that was the clincher."

He stared at her with a mixture of anger and hurt and she couldn't hold his gaze.

"So, when were you going to tell me? When you got to the fuckin' Persian Gulf?"

"No."

Kevin snorted.

"It's not like that," she tried to explain in a small voice, "I just wanted to have the weekend. I didn't want the deployment getting in the way. I just wanted a normal, happy Thanksgiving." Sadness filled her eyes.

"Oh, don't fuckin' play the hurt puppy with me, Deonne! I'm sick of it! What the hell do you think I've been talking about? We spend a few days together, all cozy and fun, then tomorrow we leave here and bam! It's over. You go your way, I go mine. We see each other who knows when?" He leaned over towards her, extending both arms palms down on the mattress to put his face close to hers. "C'mon, baby, just take the early out."

"Why don't you? You get out of the Army?" she countered.

"We've down this road before. You know I can't get out. I wouldn't get out if I could, you know that," he pushed back and zipped up his bag.

"But you want me to get out, give it up," she spoke accusingly.

"That's exactly what I want you to do."

"Why? Why me? Why don't we both get out?" She knew that with only one year left of her term it would be easier for her to get out as they were doing a RIF, a reduction in force. Even high dollar pilots got RIF-ed. Kevin had three years to go on his four year contract. She knew she was being unreasonable.

"Both get out?" he laughed. "What the fuck would I do, babe? This is what I do, it's who I am!"

"Well, I'm an aviator! It's what I do, who I am!"

"It's not the same and you know it! I spent my whole life planning for this! Ever since I was little I knew I wanted to be a soldier. There was nothing else. My daddy was a soldier, and I didn't think there was anything that could match that. I still don't. When Dad told me I was going to West Point, I believed him. I wasn't pushed, I was excited about it, like other kids can't wait for their license.

"You didn't spend your whole life wanting to be a sailor, it just fell in your lap! You wanted to fly airplanes and this looked like a path to get you there. So, you may have drunk the Kool-aid since you got in, but Deonne, sweetie," his sarcasm getting the best of him, "liking your job and having a passion for it isn't the same thing. So, don't give me this, 'I'm an aviator' shit! There is no way you're going to stick it out twenty years. You have too many other things you want to do."

"It didn't fall in my lap! How dare you say that!" She didn't want to dwell on the other part.

"Babe, I don't have the patience to sit around while you figure it out. I want to know my woman is home safe, waiting in my bed for me."

"What?" she shouted. "This isn't the 1950's! Have you lost your mind?"

"If you want me, this is what you get. I'm old school and I'm not apologizing for it. Take it or leave it."

She wanted to shout, "I leave it!" and stomp out. But she couldn't. If she did that, it would be over and she just couldn't bear the thought of it. So she continued to argue, "You expect me to come live with you and not work? You just take care of me? I sit around and... and do what?"




Ready Ch. 04



"That's not what I'm saying. I don't care if you work or not."

Deonne was seething. Goddamn you! she thought. She moved over to the window and looked down from their tenth floor position to the city street below.

"Let's talk about something else," she suggested quietly. It was their last night.

"Okay, Deonne," he replied sharply. "What the fuck do you want to talk about then?" He was definitely not cooling off.

"What do you want to do tonight?" she asked, trying to change the mood. She had heard that couples often fought just before a long separation, maybe as a way of diverting the pain. She didn't know, but this was not the memory she wanted for them.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"How exhausted I am, or if I'm exhausted at all," he replied. A humorous statement, it was not said humorously.

"Exhausted?" Looking at him, she could still see the angry heat in his eyes.

Turning from putting his bag in the closet, he pulled her close, jerking her head back. He was so mad and he'd been thinking of nothing but being inside Deonne since he woke up. Being fucked with was not something he enjoyed and he definitely felt she was not being open with him. How could she keep something like a year-long deployment from him? And not even seem to realize what she had done?

Well, if he was just her part-time fuck toy, then he might as well get on with it and give them both what they wanted. He nuzzled her neck then licked it before moving up to her ear, sucking on her delicate lobe, his tongue playing around her small silver earring.

"Take your fuckin' clothes off," he whispered harshly in her ear. His hand moved up to cup her head and turn her face. His mouth moved over hers, pulling and nibbling her lower lip before claiming her in a fast, hard kiss then pulling away.

She looked up and saw the lust in his eyes and something else that she couldn't quite define. At first she thought it was anger, but it was something more than that. Was it hurt? Her eyes darted towards the open window, then back at Kevin. She wanted to please him, but...

He nodded towards it, giving her approval to shut the curtains.

She hurried towards the plate glass, closing the heavy curtains before coming back towards him.

"That's good, right there. I want to see you."

Deonne's pussy was growing moist, her clit tingling, but it always made her nervous having him look closely at her body. She hesitated slightly before pulling the sweater over her head, revealing the gentle bend of her narrow waist, her fair skin contrasting with the deep red of her lacy bra.

Slipping it off her shoulders, her full, soft breasts sprung free, the rosy tips ready and eager for play. She let the red lacy material fall to the floor before reaching for the front of her jeans. Her hands shook as she saw him watching her unsnap and pull down the zipper. Looking away from him, she paused. She was getting more nervous by the second.

"Come on, babe. Get 'em down." His voice was firm, eager to see what she revealed. He saw her nervousness and felt his cock get a little more uncomfortable in his jeans. He didn't let himself wonder what kind of sick asshole he must be to get so turned on by her fear. He was sick alright and he had one night to get treatment.

She started to pull the jeans down her hips.

"Panties too, girl. I need to see that wet little pussy." Her breathing increased again. He watched her closely and caught her arousal.

"Play with your tits," he demanded after she finished her task. He sounded so cold, yet the heat in his eyes told a different story, and Deonne felt a shiver of excitement go through her.

Her hands crept up to her breasts, sliding over her smooth stomach. She ran her palms over the nipples, circling and smoothing the plump soft skin over and over before squeezing the sensitive globes in her fists. Deonne felt his eyes rake over her, not missing a thing, seeing just how hard her pink nipples were; seeing her excited breathing.

"That's it. Now turn around and bend over. Show it to me." His dick twitched in anticipation, and he longed to run his hands over her graceful, slender curves, to feel that downy soft skin against his, to feel her tremble with need, and he wondered who he was really punishing.

"Kev?" she asked while giving him a pleading look.

Gripping her tits she stared at him, her eyes big. Slowly she turned around and bent slightly. Humiliation and excitement washed over her in waves of hot and cold leaving her panting, her skin flushed.

"All the way, spread your legs and grab those ankles."

Tentatively she did as he demanded and wondered what on earth happened to her voice. This was so over the top, but it was Kevin and just being in the same room, hell, just thinking about him, forget the room, had always put that tingle between her legs and sucked the sense right out of her brain. The cool air caressing her wetness excited her even more and she bit her lip to keep from whimpering.

"So fuckin' hot, you have no idea."

She'd been willing to submit to him since the beginning, a hidden trait that first surprised and then pleased him. He was sure it was something she only revealed to him. Tonight her willingness to yield was as much a turn-on as her bent-over exposure and it was all he could do to not rip his pants off and take her hard right now.

Unable to keep from touching her any longer, Kevin came up behind her and ran his large hand over her pale ass. So smooth. He could see the moisture seeping from between her folds.

Smack!

Not too hard, her head to jerked up, startled. Her pussy clutched, instantly wanting to be filled. The coil of need wound tighter.

Smack!

This time he came down harder, making her tits jiggle. Her nipples tingled and she wanted to touch them again, give them relief. She panted short, erratic puffs, and gripped her ankles tighter.

Slap! Slap!

Trembling, Deonne fought for breath. She was amazed at how the sudden stinging pain shot a line of pleasure directly to her clit. She felt the wetness sliding between her folds and over her mound.

"You do like it a little rough, don't you Dee?" He ran his cool hand over her pink bottom, soothing the mild pain. His eyes taking in her bent, slender form.

She nodded, embarrassed.

Slap! This time the biting sting brought tears to her eyes and her shriek reverberated around the walls of the quiet hotel room. Between the throbbing tingles of her pussy and hot burning of her backside, Deonne could barely think, but she was starting to get the impression that this might be real punishment for the way she had treated him.

"What's that, sweetheart?" He heard her small yes in reply coming from between her legs and swore nothing had sounded hotter in his life. If he didn't get his trapped dick out soon, he was going to permanently injure himself.

"Well, you're in for a treat tonight, babe. I'm going to fuck you so hard you'll be crawlin' on that plane tomorrow."

He ran a finger slowly down her crack from her ass to her throbbing clit before sliding two fingers in her weeping pussy. Turning his hand so that the curved digits could stroke her g-spot he thrust his hand in and out of her tight crevice in a steady, deliberate tempo. She was so wet she could hear the slurping sounds as his fingers brought her closer and closer to the edge. 

Little panting cries escaped with each exhale. Her inner muscles clutched his fingers, trying to pull them deeper. His pace was steady but her need was growing more urgent by the second. Unable to hold still she started rocking her pelvis back into his hand.

"You like these fingers in your cunt, don't cha baby?" he asked.

Deonne nodded.

"You wanna come? You wanna come on these fingers?" Kevin raised his voice slightly, his own excitement growing. Pulling out, he swirled his sopping wet fingers down over her clit. Then he slapped her ass with a resounding smack before sliding his fingers back over her straining clit, rubbing and pinching and finally dipping back into her pulsing heat.

Deonne nodded her head vigorously.

"Then I better start hearing how much you need me. You better start beggin' girl." This time he was even louder. God, he was so hurt and so angry and so fucking turned on. Did she even care what she was doing to him? Did she give a damn what he thought?

Slap!

She cried out, somewhere between agony and ecstasy as he once again thrust into her dripping aperture.

"Oh, God, Kevin, I need you. Please! I need to come. Please get me off!" She was almost whining she was so close.

"Do you need me, Deonne? Or you just needin' an easy fuck?" His fingers slowed while waiting for an answer, but still he kept touching that special spot deep inside. "Anyone else been in this little pussy since I made it mine?" He pulled his fingers out and rubbed them around her clit before shoving back into her, letting her calm just a little. He didn't want her coming just yet.

"No! Just you, you know that! Make me come, Kevin. I need to come!"

"That's right, just me, so whose pussy is it? Is it yours?"

"No, it's yours! It's your pussy! Please, oh God, more."

Kevin reached down and grabbed Deonne's hair, pulling her chest up waist high, her head pulled back so her eyes looked forward as he continued to slowly stroke her cunt. Leaning, he put his lips near her ear.

"That's right, girl. I own this pussy, and don't you fuckin' forget it. Now, tell me again who owns this sweet little box."

"You do!" 

God, his fingers were doing incredible things, and she was hanging on the edge of the cliff, and a fresh flood of juice ran down her folds. He was thrusting rapidly into her, bumping her spot, then pulling out, sometimes sliding those delicious fingers down over her swollen knot and sometimes wandering back over her sensitive asshole.

"Say my fuckin' name, Deonne," he tugged on her hair again, his mouth almost touching her ear as his hand circled her nether hole.

For some reason he needed to hear her say she needed him, that she was his, that her private life was his, her puss. Because he knew for a fact that she had his heart and he wasn't sure it was a fair trade, but he would take what he could get. She was his; his woman, at least when they shared their bodies. 

"I wanna make sure you know and never forget."

"Damn it, Kev! It's Kevin's pussy! It's always been yours." She wasn't a virgin when they got together, but nobody got to her the way Kevin did. If he didn't get her off soon she was sure she would just pass out from want.

Immediately Kevin started thrusting faster into her hungry pussy, and then added a third finger.

"Like that, girl?"

"Oh, yeah! Fuck me ha-harder."

She was rocking her hips back onto his hand in short, hard jerks, barely able to stay in position. His fingers slammed into her, moving faster and faster. He could feel her muscles swelling and pushing back at him, squeezing him, pushing at him, her juice all over his hand. He knew she was almost there.

"Oh! Oh! Baby... I'm com..." she cried out, and with that Deonne let go with a wail, jerking and shoving back hard on his hand. Her whole body was shaking.

"Fu... fuck... fuck!" 

Her orgasm pulsed out from her center, taking over the rest of her body. Kevin quickly slid his other arm around her waist as her legs gave out, holding her up while his hand continued it's thrusting as she drove back on him. The unrelenting climax refused to give up until finally Deonne was a trembling mass, limp and completely supported by his arm.

Kevin let her slide to the ground, but he wasn't done with her. His need was urgent. Still fully clothed, he unzipped his pants, releasing his cock from its prison. Walking around to her head, he tugged on her hair until her face was level with his dick.

"Give it a kiss, babe." Gently he pushed the dripping tip into her mouth. She couldn't take much of him as her jaw was stretched to the limit. Looking up, she saw him watching her take him in, his nostrils flaring as his breathing increased. She rubbed and flicked her tongue below the glans, just like he taught her. He groaned.

"Shit! Mm... like that."

He rocked his hips back and forth, barely moving. Soon he couldn't stop himself, his hips started thrusting harder, deeper into her small mouth. His fist grew tight in her hair and he started pushing her to meet his thrusts. His massive cock filled her mouth completely, her jaw strained to cracking and still he kept thrusting. Deonne gagged as she felt him shove into her throat and tears sprang to her eyes.

Kevin pulled out slowly before sliding back in, this time not so far, his cock shiny from her spit, a thick onyx rod. Chest heaving, his eyes were focused completely on where his penis met her soft, pink lips. Letting go of her hair, he placed his palm on the back of her head, giving it the lightest of touches before pulling her up.

"Over to the bed, babe," he helped her impatiently along. Turning her around, he pushed her back onto the bed and stood over her, his hand moving up and down his turgid shaft. His pants were still hanging around his hips. He had to calm down, if he drove into her now, he'd be done instantly.

"Spread your legs for me. Wider. Little more." 

Her knees were bent, the thighs spread wide, and he stood there with his eyes drinking in that center of womanhood which every man longs for, his excitement barely in check. Kevin fondled his heavy balls before moving back over his thick cock, giving mild comfort to his raging hard-on.

"Kevin..." she moaned as her eyes closed. God, she wanted him to touch her. She wanted to feel him drive that thick length into her.

"Make yourself come. Go on, touch yourself."

Shock filled her face. Her hand slid near her clit, but stopped just short.

"Show me how you like it. Show me what you're going to do to yourself in your stateroom when nobody's looking, when your body's craving mine. Will you cry out my name when you come? I wonder if your voice will echo down the hallways like it does when my cock drives you over the edge? C'mon baby, let me see what I'll be missing."

She rubbed her puss, starting off with her fingers flat, making wide circles around her clit spreading her wetness, remembering those naughty times on the last cruise when need had driven her fingers between her legs and she had to jam a pillow over her face to keep his name from bouncing around the bulkheads. Deonne could not stop watching Kevin stoke his cock and she moaned when she saw a drop of pre-come fall from the tip.

Kevin was inspired. "Give it a little love tap for me."

She looked up at him, not understanding.

"Smack it."

His chest was rising and falling, his cock ached for relief. He nodded encouragement, an angry lustful smirk on his face.

"Do it."

Pulling her hand back at the wrist, she tapped her pussy with the flat of her fingers and her hips jerked up off the bed at the unexpected pleasure of it. Her pussy clenched hard and another gush of liquid ran down her crack. God, what a turn on!

"Harder, baby."

Reaching back again, she smacked her pussy harder. A small high-pitched sound came from her throat. Her eyes remained focused on the slow movements of Kevin's hand over himself. Deonne was fascinated by his cock. He stretched and filled every quivering little bit of her clinching pussy. She swore it was made just for her, and her pussy agreed. Her little thing would take off at full gallop like it had its own mind when he visited. Oh, dear God, she wished he would jam it in her now. She felt so empty.

Smack! Smack!

Panting hard, she hit herself without encouragement, her hips thrusting up on impact. Her left hand came up to grip her tit, squeezing and pulling at the nipple.

Her swollen clit stood out proud between those legs, still spread wide. Deonne rapidly flicked her finger down the side of the sensitive button, giving much needed relief. Crying out, she felt the shockwaves roll over her. 

Kevin realized he was sweating has he watched her hips lift and her body shake with spasms. Breathing hard he climbed on her, pulling her hands up over her head. His throbbing cock poised at her soaked crevice. His mouth found hers, running his tongue around her lips before diving in. Their kiss was wet and sloppy this time, just like her pussy.

"You'll fuckin' do everything I say, won't you baby? Everything as long as I'm pleasing this hot little cunt of yours!" he hissed in her ear, his body shaking from anger and need. Securing her wrists in one hand, his other started moving along her side before coming forward to cup and squeeze her tit.

"Every fuckin' thing."

She looked down to watch his hand rub and mold her. Her breathing was harsh as her body recovered. She needed her tits in his mouth, to feel that wet pull. She needed his cock filling her.

"Suck it Kevin, please," she pleaded.

"You even beg. Do you know what a fuckin' turn on that is? Do you? Do you know what you do to me?" he asked, his cock still stopped at her opening, torturing them both.

"You want me to suck these?" he asked as his hand squeezed her tit hard, causing her to wince.

"Yes!"

"Beg me again, you do it so well," he whispered, his breath hitting her ear in short hard pants. His cock nudged her hole, punctuating his comment, his pre-come mingling with hers.

"Oh, baby, please, please suck my titties!" she cried out, trying to keep her voice down.

Titties? God, where did she come up with this stuff and why did it turn him on so much? He locked onto her right nipple and sucked hard, pulling his mouth back, stretching it out before releasing it. Locking on it a second time, he bit down. Deonne cried out and her body bowed. It hurt so good. She rocked and squirmed her hips trying to tempt him. If he didn't stick it in her soon, she was going to die!

Pushing up with his free arm he looked down to where their bodies touched.

"Yeah, you'll fuckin' do whatever I want..."

Deonne saw him watch his cock thrust slowly into her, the feeling so wonderful his eyes closed from the pleasure.

"...but commit," he finished. Opening his eyes, he stared right into hers, holding her with his look. Relief washed through her as she felt herself stretch over his thickness.

With the head of his cock planted deep, he shifted and brought her legs between them before taking both her wrists in each hand, holding them out from her sides as he started to slowly pounding his cock into her, a measured, patient battering ram. He couldn't move any faster. His cock almost gave it up as soon as he felt that tight inner sanctum flowing with come-induced liquid drawing him in as she closed tightly over his girth.

The tempo of his thrusts increased and she was shoved up the bed with each jab. Each time he would bottom out her walls would grip him, causing his breath to catch, and he could feel his anger fade with each desperate thrust and be replaced by a raw, all-consuming need.

She looked up with her green eyes round and full of longing, the dark eyeliner making her look somehow younger and more innocent and Kevin's heart clinched. His mind flashed back to that naïve young girl looking up at him the same way all those years ago, clinging to him and rubbing herself against him when her need overtook her natural inhibitions. He had wanted her then, and he still wanted her with a ruthlessness that left him doubting his sanity at times.

Her breath was coming out in short pants and her grip on his cock got tighter, pulling him along with her. She was near the edge and he didn't mind if she went over, but she would drag him along too, and he wasn't going that way tonight. He had other plans.

Pulling out abruptly, he slid his cock over her pucker, pressing his spongy head onto her hole, feeling its tight reluctance. He groaned.




Ready Ch. 04



"Oh, God, Kevin! Put it back in," she whimpered, "I'm so close." She moaned, nearly in tears, "So close."

Ignoring her, he pushed her legs down and rolled her over. Slapping her ass he told her to get on her knees, ass in the air.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a worried tone as she obeyed. Then it hit her.

"You're too big!"

A huge moan tore from her mouth as she felt his wet tongue slide over her sensitive bud. Gripping both her cheeks in his hands he pulled them wider, opening more of her to him. He pushed his tongue slightly into her hole before licking down to thrust into her cunt. She shuddered in spasms around his tongue before he pulled out and flicked it rapidly over her clit.

"Oh-my-god! That feels so good."

Kevin put his tongue back over her hole, running it in big flat circles, before teasing her with the tip of it. She couldn't stop moaning, it felt so fucking good. Deonne pushed back as she felt him push two fingers into her pussy. Pulling out he pushed in three fingers as he continued to flick his tongue around her pucker. Next she felt him replace his tongue with a finger and slowly push it all the way in. Her hips pushed back uncontrollably.

"You like that, don't you babe?"

She nodded.

"I knew you would. You're such a little slut, aren't you, Deonne? You like being naughty. So good on the outside, Daddy's perfect little girl. But you're nothing but a dirty little slut under those good-girl clothes."

Her hips were driving back onto his hand, her hair swinging around her face. Oh, God, she was a dirty little slut!

"But you're my slut, aren't you?"

She nodded her head vigorously. Oh, fuck, she was! She was! She heard the slapping sounds as her wet pussy smacked back against his hand.

"Such a bad girl," Kevin murmured. "Yeah, you're gonna be beggin' me to fuck your naughty little ass so hard in a little while. You're gonna' be screaming for it."

He pulled out and then she felt something bigger, like two fingers, slowly going into her ass. His other arm came around her hip and he started playing with her clit. She felt stretched, but, oh, God, the feeling was so incredible. She thrust back again on his hand over and over. If he would just keep it up, she could come. Her empty pussy wept for attention, demanding to be filled, to not be left out.

"That feels amazing," she whispered, one side of her face pressed down on the mattress.

Deonne nearly cried out when he removed his fingers. She felt him get up off the bed, but soon he was back and she heard the cap on the bottle of lube open. Kevin rubbed the oil over himself before dribbling the liquid on her ass, letting it run down over her pussy before brushing his thumb over her clit, causing her to groan. Then she felt him thrust his iron-hard cock deep into her pussy repeatedly while his fingers once again found her hole. She felt full and wonderful. She started pushing back.

"Oh, God. More, I need more."

But instead of giving her more, he pulled out. Then she felt something much larger and insistent pushing on her ass. Kevin ran his warm hands down in large circles over her back.

"Babe, I'm not going to lie, it's going to hurt at first, but I promise you it'll get better, much better. Just do what I say and not fight it. If it really gets too much, we'll stop. Okay?"

"Okay," Deonne was still so turned on, but she was so damn scared. Kevin was huge.

"Play with your clit babe. Keep it humming."

Deonne slipped her hand between her legs and rubbed. His hard knob stayed right on her opening, paused yet insistent, and an unbelievable urge to push back came over her, his fingers had never felt so good. Her hand worked over her tender nerve bundle and, recalling how good it felt earlier, she reached back and slapped it. Hard. Her hips jerked back as she cried out, but Kevin stayed right with her. She needed this slow.

"That's right, sweetheart, you're just Kevin's naughty little girl. So bad." He pulled back and banged his heavy cock on her hole. "You need this cock."

That's right, I'm Kevin's naughty girl. I want him to have my virgin ass.

"When I push in, I want you to push out." She almost stopped stroking herself when she felt him start pushing.

"Oh, God, Kevin!! Take it out!" She thought she was going to die as she felt his swollen helmet push past her ring. "Ithurts! Ithurts!" She pulled away from him, trying to crawl up the bed, but he held firmly onto her hips.

"Bear down, baby."

The pain lessened. Kevin stayed just inside her hole and started rubbing her back again as she let out little whimpers.

"It hurts so bad, Kevin," she whispered into the sheets.

" You're doing great. You'll start feeling good soon. I promise." She didn't see how it was possible. "Do you want me to pull out, or do you want to keep trying?"

"Keep trying, just go slow, k?"

"Real slow," he promised.

Kevin looked to the ceiling and closed his eyes. Dear God, he didn't know how he was going to manage that. The hot tight ring around his cock was fuckin' incredible. He took a few calming breaths while she recovered.

With each push in Deonne would whimper. Her ass felt like it was being ripped open by a hot cattle prod, but her pussy was throbbing, so wet and hot, and she could feel the wetness spreading to her inner thighs. Soon she was overcome by the weirdest sensation of pain mixed with the most wonderful pleasure, and then that licentious pleasure started overtaking the pain, beating it back with a determined carnal wave. Before she knew it she was shoving back on Kevin's dick so hard she felt his balls bang on her clit, all feeling of pain gone, just an incredible fullness remained.

"So hot watching your ass take my cock," he told her, his voice starting to sound a little breathless as he started losing control. He started shoving into her ass, joining her eager thrusting, picking up speed.

"Oh, oh, ah, ah, mmmm, Kev..."

He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up against him, his shaft ramming deep into her ass. Reaching around, Kevin held her to him, cupping her tit with his hand while the other fingered her clit before sliding down and jamming three fingers into her cunt.

Kevin's buttocks flexed and strained, heaving his cock up into that tight hot grip of her hole. The slick clenching of her ring was milking and pulling the come from his sac.

"Kev. I'm... Ahh! Just... lik-like that, yesss..." Deonne cried out.

Kevin felt her cunt contracting on his fingers as her orgasm shook through her body and he slowed his cock, pumping deep, hard, brutal jabs as his own release shot through his shaft.

"Ahhh! Fuck!" Kevin clutched Deonne tightly to him as his cock battered her ass, filling her with his semen. He continued to jab up into her until he was spent, not a drop left.

Kevin pulled out and carefully put Deonne down, but instead of lying close and pulling her next to him like usual, he sat on the side of the bed, legs spread with his elbows on his knees and head in his hands as his body recovered.

Deonne came up behind and slipped her arms under his shirt, running her hands over his stomach and chest before trying to pull it off of him. She rubbed her face against his neck and hair.

"Come on, baby. Come to bed." She wanted him to hold her, forget tomorrow.

"How long you gonna be gone this time? A year?" he asked quietly.

Deonne's stomach clutched and she pulled back, lying on the bed. This is why she wanted to wait to tell him.

"At least," she whispered quietly, so softly she could hardly hear herself.

"Speak up."

"Probably more, including work-up."

"Shit." He turned to glare at her. "Damn you!"

With that he stood up and started jamming his clothing back into place. Deonne listened, her eyes closed, unable to watch him thrashing around, his renewed anger at her driving each movement. Next she heard him in the bathroom and then over by the closet. 

"Kev?" she asked while sitting up on the bed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm done." He was standing in the middle of the room, bag in hand. "You know that next spring I deploy, right? So, when you come back, I'll be gone for another six months or more. A year and a half, Deonne! A fuckin' eighteen months! By that time it will be time for you to ship out again, if you stay in, and you know it. What's that? Two and a half years? That's not a relationship. That's nothing. Fuck this shit."

He walked to the door and looked back at her. "Enjoy your career, babe."

Kevin turned the knob and walked out.

Deonne was shocked. How could he end it just like this? For several minutes she sat there, staring, not really comprehending what just happened. Wrapping her arms around her naked body she lay in the middle of the bed. Pulling her legs up she reached down and dragged the sheet over herself. She felt his come slowly seep out of her and a tear slid from the corner of her eye, and then a hard sob convulsed through her body followed by another. Soon she was crying uncontrollably. 

Thanks to AsylumSeeker for editing. I made some major changes after his edits, so any noticeable errors are wholely mine! 



Ready Ch. 05-06



Deonne Starts to Get a Clue

"Dr. Massey's residence."

Deonne heard her sister's voice on the other end of the line and a huge lump instantly formed in her throat, a massive sob threatening to erupt out if she said a word. She had wanted to talk to someone and she needed to tell her family about Kevin. Besides, maybe Loud Mouth Andrew had only gotten around to blabbing about her deployment to the one person on earth he shouldn't have! She stood there trying to recover enough to speak.

"Hello? Hello! If you don't say something soon, I'm going to..." Becca threatened. Stupid angry patient making a prank call, she thought.

"He left me, Becca!" she announced, with the last word ending on a wail.

There was a pause while Becca put it all together.

"Oh, Deonne," she replied softly. "Sweetheart, what happened?"

"We got... got in this fight at the hotel. He got so mad at me... and he left!" The last words had her sobbing again.

Becca waited. Little Timmy came up to his mother demanding to be held, so she picked him up and went to the fridge with the phone wedged between her shoulder and ear. Timmy happily took his sippy cup and wiggled to be put down.

"What made him so mad, honey?"

"He found out I'm deploying in a couple weeks."

"You're deploying in a couple weeks? Before Christmas? Deonne! Why didn't you say anything?"

"I just wanted Thanksgiving to be normal. I didn't want to spend the whole time talking about it." Deonne wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffed. Why did she have to be such a damned girly-girl about these things?

"Honey, he'll get over it. Of course he's mad! Have you talked to him since you got home?"

"No. I haven't had the nerve to try. I've picked up the phone a hundred times, but I don't know what I can say to make it right. I don't think he's going to get over it. He's really mad and it's more than that. He wants me to get out. We've been having that argument for months."

"Oh, I see."

Her sister fell silent for a while before expressing, "Deonne, you're dating a guy in the Army. How can that work out? So, he wants you to get out so you can be within a hundred miles of each other, what's wrong with that? Does he plan to stay in the Army, make a career of it?"

"Oh, yeah. He's a warrior. Eats it up."

"You're a warrior at heart too, Deonne. A fighter. And what did you call flying... an addiction? You can't believe they pay you to do it? Is that what you said once?" Becca reminded her as she smiled into the phone.

Deonne was surprised. She never thought Becca paid much attention to her.

"But Deonne, I never thought you really wanted to make a career out of the Navy. You've told me yourself that your job takes all of you and leaves very little left over and you couldn't imagine a year-long deployment away from a child. You're going to have to make a decision sometime. You only have a year left."

"Yeah, but... What if I do it, get out, move clear across country to a strange place and I end up with nothing but a broken heart and trashed career? And, I don't know if I want to, or even can live almost everyday wondering if he's safe. He does dangerous work, and I understand better than most just how dangerous. It's easier being in the military than being married to it." 

She flopped down onto her overstuffed, shabby-chic couch. Not that marriage was ever brought up, she thought sadly . "Besides," Deonne added, "I don't even know if he loves me."

A laugh burst from Becca. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Well, he's never said. There's lust, for sure, but isn't love more? He doesn't give me anything, just, 'move over here'."

Laughing quietly, Becca shook her head. Her sister was so clueless! So insecure! "Trust me! I don't really know him, but it's obvious that he's crazy about you. I get the impression that man would walk on hot coals for you, darling!" Feeling her sister's doubts, she said, "Honey, think. What man in his right mind would travel hundreds of miles to take on a tribe of Appalachian barbarians? For an occasional toss in the sack? That man's in love with you.

"Ahh, sweetheart, you have so much to offer, you accomplish everything you ever set out to do, how can you be so unsure of yourself? Maybe he's waiting for something more from you. He's taking a risk, too, you know?"

Hoping some of that would sink in, Becca paused before adding, "And one more thing before I have to go and do car pool. There is no guarantee in the love business, but sometimes you have to step out and take a chance. You have to decide if you think this thing with Kevin is worth the gamble. 

"For a girl who gambles her life everyday, you sure are timid about your heart! Honey, if you aren't willing, walk away and be happy for what you had. If not, call him. He may have been the one to leave, but you might have to be the one to make the first step and that's going to be hard from an aircraft carrier. He needs something from you."

Deonne stared at her phone after she hung up. Opening it back up she punched in Kevin's speed dial, but her finger paused over the send button. Sucking in a breath she pressed.

"You've reached the cell phone of Captain Kevin Banning, I'm not available right now, please leave a message and I'll return it if I can, otherwise reach me at the unit."

"Hi, Kevin. It's me, Deonne. Please call me back. Please don't end it like this." By now Deonne was whispering, tears in her voice. "Please call me."

He didn't call.

Christmas morning came and normal operations were suspended on the carrier and Deonne didn't have the duty until later. Deonne had just flown in four days ago and was still trying to get settled. This was her second cruise, though the first was much shorter, and, like last time, everyone was cranked up into high gear at the beginning of a tour.

She was sitting on her bed with her meager gifts and cards spread out in front of her, thoroughly depressed. Most of the squadron was celebrating together down at the ward room. Due to her own lack of communication most of her family had not been able to do their usual gift mailing to her in time. Her sister, Megan, in Australia had known because she could never keep a secret from her and besides, she was safely half a world away!

Becca must have rushed out the minute she hung up from their call and bought her gifts and mailed them. Camille and Phil's neatly wrapped gift with white on white paper and ribbon came by overnight courier at the last minute along with the sweetest Nativity finger painting by George Junior. That she hung up in her small desk area immediately. Thankfully, she had had time to stow them aboard before the ship sailed.

Christmas was always the most depressing day of the year for Deonne since she joined the Navy and this one was definitely ranking number one. No matter how many people were around the only people she wanted to see were her family. And Kevin.

Reaching down, she opened Megan's card first. She missed Megan almost as much as she missed Kevin. They sent e-mails daily, even when Deonne was aboard, and they talked about once a week. Opening the summer beach-time inspired holiday card, she had to smile. She had trouble imagining Christmas celebrated at the beach like many Sydney-siders did, according to her sister. Her sister had a short message for her.

Dee-Dee,

Merry Christmas, sis! Cheer up. I know you're sitting around moping during your very few spare moments. STOP THAT!!

I can't wait until your stopover in Australia. I have the hotel in Perth already reserved. Callum says 'G'day' or some such Aussie anachronism (he's not actually here right now), and looks forward to meeting you.

Love, Megan

P.S. Do you remember when you were little what you wanted to be when you grew up? Think about it.

A teacher and a mommy.

That was all she had wanted to be and she taught and dressed and fed every stuffed animal and baby doll they owned. Then one day a random airplane had flown low over the farm, a vintage twin tailed P-38 Lightning. Deonne had immediately added pilot to her short list.

*****

Pride goeth ...

"I showed her!" Kevin slammed his beer down on the round bar table where it joined its three empty mates.

"You sure did," James replied, casting a wry look over his brother before nursing his own beer. He was down 1-4 against Kevin and it was going to stay that way.

When he arrived at Kevin's apartment he took one look at his brother and got confirmation of what he suspected. Kevin was fucked up. James had thought he was going to have to beat the shit out of Kevin for hurting Deonne, but, thankfully, Kevin was doing a good enough job on himself. He knew Kevin wasn't completely wasted, but those two JD's he sucked down before James moved him to beer, along with depression, was greasing the skids and Kevin was getting pretty sad and chatty.

"I just wanted her to be with me. What's so fuckin' wrong with that? Am I such a bad guy?"

James looked at Kevin's hurt little-boy expression and couldn't help but laugh, it was so comical. Kevin didn't appreciate his humor and his look changed to one of anger.

"'Be with you'? Like shack up?" James asked, his voice raising an octave and shaking his head, "Deonne ain't wired that way, shithead. She may be givin' ya some free milk, but she's a cow you have to buy."

"You callin' my girl a cow?" Kevin started to stand, fury distorting his face.

"No, Kev, you asshole. Haven't you ever heard the phrase, 'Why buy the cow if the milk's free?' Deonne's a 'good girl'. She's what you bring home to momma."

"Damn straight, she is!"

"And she ain't 'your girl' anymore. You dumped her," he reminded Kevin with a look of disgust. "You're so fucked up, man." 

He sipped his beer, it was getting warm. He gazed at his brother. The hair was neat and in regulation, the face shaven, but his usually intelligent eyes that missed nothing were bloodshot and unfocused. His gray ARMY t-shirt and jeans looked clean but had obviously been pulled out of a basket.

"You ever tell her how you feel?"

"Of course! I told her I wanted her to come be with me," he said, and stabbed his finger at James to make his point, "that we're an 'us'. Why she think I chase her all over the place? If I... if I just wanted some pussy, I can stay home, make a phone call.

"Shee-it! I could have all the PUSSY I wanted! I don't need to go to Goddamned SAN DIEGO, or go to the fuckin' middle-of-nowhere OHIO to take on her brothers. Them motherfuckers could be the offensive line of the Cinnca-rati... Cinnci... a fuckin' football team! Big ass mothers."

Worn out from his little speech he leaned over his drink with his shoulders rounded and arms hanging down between his legs. He looked up at James, his forehead wearing a wrinkled, almost earnest expression.

"You're a regular prince charming. Girls are all about feelings. They want to know about love and shit like that. You tell her you love her? Bring up marriage, kids, the future?" James wondered if his reasoning was wasted, the alcohol seemed to be catching up.

"Fuck no," and with that, he took a gulp of beer. "I couldn't fuckin' get her to get out of her precious fuckin' Navy."

James snorted. Even Lt. James M. Banning, USN, and master cursing specialist was beginning to tire of the 'f' word.

"You ever seen what one of those fuckin' planes look like when it hits the fuckin' ground? Have you?"

James shook his head. He had seen enough video of them crashing on deck and cart-wheeling across the ocean. Give him his sinking sewer pipe any day.

"Well, it ain't fuckin' pretty, little bro'! It ain't pretty," again with the finger pointing. "And you know what those motherfuckers do when they capture a female?"

"She knew what she was getting into, Kev. She chose to do it."

"No, she chose to fly planes, no way she thought about that shit. She thinks she's fuckin' invincible. Well, I choose to not sit around and worry. That's why I left her, 'cause I'm not going to worry. Fuck no. I ain't worryin'. Not me," he decided and swung his head from side to side. Having finished his declaration, he lifted his mug and finished the last half of his beer. Looking around he waved his arm for the barmaid.

"She's got her life. I got mine," he said with conviction that only comes from a bottle.

"It's a good thing you don't really love her. Because then it would be really hard to walk away, and we can see this isn't the case."

"Fuck you." Kevin gave him a sloppy, half-hearted middle finger.

The barmaid brought over his beer and started to set it down.

"Don't give him that," James told her.

"Of course she's goin' to give it to me, aren't you, babe?" He smiled at the young girl before grabbing it from her and guzzling a third of it. James sighed.

"Bring us the tab. We're outta here." James looked at her firmly. Glancing at Kevin, she nodded her agreement. It wasn't 8:30 and he was well on his way.

James pulled up to Kevin's off-post apartment and waited while his brother struggled to get his brain and limbs to negotiate getting out of the car. Hopefully the stairs wouldn't be quite as challenging.

Upon entering the apartment James held his breath trying to avoid the stench. Kevin had always been pretty neat, well trained by their mother and the military academy, but things had changed lately. Take-out containers littered every surface, crusty plates filled the dirty sink and trash was overflowing. Laundry, junk mail and dust covered anything that was left. It had been a long two months since the break-up.

James had always suspected that Kevin got the apartment for Deonne. He had always stayed in BOQ saying it was too much of a hassle with his kind of work to live off-post. If he wanted privacy with a girl, he just got a room for the night. But Deonne wasn't some cheap lay from out of town, and Kevin was... nesting? The thought amused James.

"Let's clean this shit up. I can't sleep in this dump." James looked over at Kevin who had sprawled on the black leather couch.

"Knock yourself out, little bro'," Kevin mumbled on a yawn and closed his eyes.

"Fuck."

*****

Stepping out of the bathroom from his shower the next morning, Kevin looked around his living room with appreciation.

"Thanks for cleaning my shit up for me, man. You didn't have to do that, you know?"

"Hell yeah, I did. You think I was staying in a toxic waste dump? For a chem major you sure let things get out of control. I think there was flesh-eating material crawling out of your trash can."

James tossed him a bag with a breakfast sandwich in it. He had gone out to retrieve much needed groceries while Kevin was still asleep.

"You're coffee's on the table over there. Be sure to throw your trash away this time, loser."

Kevin gave him a middle finger salute for his effort towards reforming him before he unwrapped his sandwich.

"So, what you going to do about your fucked-up life, big brother?" James was in a serious mood today. Maybe it was the three hours of unexpected housework that affected his usual good nature.

Kevin took a healthy bite of his food and grabbed his coffee before sitting across from James.

"Live it. What else?"

"E-mail her."

"It's over."

"It's only over if you let it be over."

"Drop it."

"Ain't that the way it always is with you? It's always got to be your way. You want what you want and you want it right now. You played that game with Deonne and look at you. She didn't fall in line with your agenda, so you showed her! Couldn't you give the one person on the planet you want in your life the one thing you don't give anyone else? A little patience? Time? 

"No wonder she held out and didn't tell you she was deploying, she probably knew you'd go off like a rocket. And from what I gather, she still doesn't know you love her! Damn, you're an idiot and a coward." James braced himself and watched Kevin, surprised he didn't come across the glass coffee table.

"You wait long enough, she will move on and leave your sorry ass behind."

Kevin glowered at his brother.

"You don't know shit."

"Sure. If you aren't going to do the right thing then you need to move on. You ain't the damn victim here, so stop acting like one. You can't stay in this funk." He gave Kevin his best I'm-serious-now look before continuing. "And I'm telling you, if you don't figure it out soon, I'm sending in Momma. I'm coming back up here in two weeks and if your shit ain't happening, she's gonna be here on the next flight out."

"You shittin' me? You gonna do what?" Kevin was incredulous.

"Just try me."

Frankly, James was right. He hadn't given her the time and space she needed, he hadn't given her enough of himself to even expect to her make that big of a commitment. He hadn't been an idiot, he'd been a first rate ass. Kevin didn't know what he could do about Deonne besides write her, but as he told James, that was too little, too late. 

If he did write her, what would he say? "Please forgive me for being a dick. By the way, in two years, if we can work it out, can we just take off where we left a few months ago?" Since he hadn't been able to come up with anything better than that, he just left it.

Besides, he wasn't sure of her. She had called him and was sorry, but what made her hesitate in the first place? Was it really like she said, or was she not really sure? He always feared a long-term separation. He had seen the drift that can happen with couples and he knew it would be tough. From experience, he knew that absence did not always make the heart grow fonder.

James was also right about pulling himself together. He had guys counting on him, even in training. He needed his head together and focused. Besides, having his mother get in his business was the last thing he needed.

*****

Chapter 6

Kevin's A Very Lonely Puppy

He was fucking her. Wet, tight, the rhythm of her inner walls squeezing and releasing, driving him ever closer to his sweet deliverance. That lovely pink pussy, so enticing, thrusting back, trying to swallow him, and he wanted it too, oh God, how he wanted to just live in that moist warm cocoon and never leave.

Yeah baby, that's it, yesss, there.

Ahh, he felt it, that special pressure in his balls. Soon. Come on baby, keep milking daddy.

Awareness penetrated and slowly he felt the emptiness around him. His raging hard-on lay not in Deonne's moist center, but on his stomach screaming at him for help. Kevin ran his hand down his stomach and gripped his cock, giving himself initial relief. With a low groan, he fucked his hand. He wished she were here, his hand a poor substitute. He wanted to feel her moist heat surround him, her legs wrapped around him. He'd jerked off in the shower before bed, hoping it would get him through the night, but it wasn't enough, it never was.

Deonne was his permanent jack-off fantasy and he couldn't get enough. His mind constantly wandered, remembering her soft pale breasts filling his hands, the pink tipped nipples so kissable and sensitive, and how her narrow hips flared out gently from her waist, the pale skin so smooth and flawless. He loved to run his hands over her, down that flat stomach and over her hips to her thighs before moving to the tender inside flesh, opening her. Still surprisingly shy on occasion she would turn her head, biting her lips from embarrassment, but he didn't care. He needed to see her and, bending low, he would sniff her special scent before pleasuring her.

He remembered her delicious pussy while his hand worked over his long, thick shaft. He visualized her bush, prepared for him the way he wanted, leaving a somewhat wide triangular patch of close-trimmed dark hair pointing to her pink pearl, the rest waxed clean. No bald pussies for him, he wanted to know he was fucking a woman, not a child. He loved how her clit was always available, never quite in hiding. When he sucked it the little bud would elongate, like a tiny little finger.




Ready Ch. 05-06



Over and over he rubbed his thumb across his wet ebony knob, pre-come flowing unchecked as he imagined sliding his dark tip across her nubbin before running the thick pole between her soft lower lips. Kevin's fingers formed an O just under his helmet, his hand making fast movements up and down. With his other hand he reached down to cup and massage his sac, his long fingers reaching back to rub behind his balls as he imagined what her tongue felt like licking him there while her hands worked his rod.

Growling, his hips rolled up as come shot out across his abdomen and chest, and some on his pillow. He continued to thrust hard up into his tight fist, deep grunts forced from his throat another two, three more times. Relief followed, and yet he felt no satisfaction.

As he looked down on his mess a memory flashed into his mind of Deonne moving up from between his legs, aroused beyond reason. Her mouth opened slightly, lips swollen from their work on his cock, breathing in short puffs, her eyes wild with longing. He knew she was ready, merely needing a stroke.

Wiping a pool of thick white come off his dark skin with her fingers, she rubbed it into her ripe pussy with a moan. Her body jerked, then convulsed and vibrated as waves of pleasure moved through her, her body falling onto his out of control, the most delicately feminine noises erupting from her throat. Rubbing his hand slowly down her back he had felt the tremors fade from her body before her face relaxed and she smiled up at him.

Damn. Fuck it all to hell. Kevin sat up and ran a hand over his hair. Climbing out of bed he made his way to the bathroom to clean up. Six months. It had been six months since he walked out. And he was as miserable now as that first day.

He'd tried it all. First, there was his friend Jack Daniels. That worked occasionally, but you had to be careful with Jack's friendship. His bosses didn't like Jack much. Also, James threatened to send in their mother if he kept that shit up. 

Then there was that skinny brunette that reminded him of Deonne. Until she opened her mouth. But still, her pussy was warm and wet and she let him unload his frustration. Unfortunately, she left him with a hollow feeling and lonelier than ever, not to mention the guilt he still couldn't shake.

The best elixirs he had found had been work and exercise, because if he could get distracted enough he wouldn't think of her for whole blocks of time and if he piled on enough exercise he could let exhaustion take over and peaceful sleep would follow.

Walking over to his dresser, he picked up his cell phone and pushed two buttons. He should erase them, but he couldn't stop listening because the longing to hear her voice was stronger than the pain and guilt the messages brought on. Those two weeks after they went their separate ways he had refused to take her calls or even listen to her messages. He would stare at the phone when it would ring and a war would wage inside him over answering, but that angry, hurt part of him would always win. Damn her, he would say to himself then. But he was the one living in hell now.

"Hi, Kevin. It's me. Please call me back. I know I was wrong and I'm so sorry. Please don't end it like this... please call me."

His heart clenched hearing her tears and he wondered why her brothers hadn't shown up to cut his balls off. The last message was the worst, but he couldn't avoid it. It was his punishment, and his hope. He listened to her voice, this time sad, but strong and clear.

"Hey, it's me, I promise, I won't bother you again. I miss you and I'm so, so sorry. I'm leaving in a couple hours and I couldn't stop myself from saying goodbye. I hope that someday you can forgive me. I love you. I'll always love you. Stay safe."

He missed her desperately. He wanted her back, and he had no idea how to go about it. She had left him with a tear-filled apology and love and he had left her with an angry, abusive fuck and a cold shoulder. He didn't deserve her and he was heading back to the sand in two days.

Maybe he should go see if his friend, JD, was still under the kitchen sink. The tears were somehow less unseemly with Jack. Yep, Jack was a true friend.

*****

James stood dockside smiling and looking out over the hulk of black metal that was about to become his home for the better part of a year while holding the phone to his ear. Lt. Deonne McNeil was on the other end doing a piss-poor job of singing to him.

" ...dear Ja--ames, ha--ppy birth--day to you!" she warbled her ending.

It was a tradition, whenever they were able, they would call each other up on their birthdays and sing the song. If they couldn't call, they would send a card. One time James had even made sure his mother mailed his pre-signed card because her birthday would fall in the middle of his deployment. Sometimes her card would be weeks late in the huge stack of mail that would be given to him during port calls.

"Hey! I know I'm early, but I didn't want to miss your birthday next month. Happy Birthday! The Indian Ocean sends its greetings too!"

"So, the Indian Ocean thinks and even talks to you now, does it?"

"She misses you."

"Well, she's probably going to keep on missing me, but she only talks to you, you nut job. Listen, how you doing these days?"

"Good. Glad to be heading back home. It was a boring deployment. Lots of flying, but nothing to brag to the grandkids about." Deonne longed to ask about Kevin, but was too embarrassed. James had been e-mailing her as usual and kept her informed though she never asked.

A small silence developed between them.

"You know you wanna ask, just do it," James said into the silence. He could hear her sigh all the way across the planet.

"Okay, how is he?"

"Alive and well, last I heard, he's been gone a couple of months now. He misses you. If you still want him, he's yours, trust me on that. I just don't know why a good girl like you would want a piece of shit like that." James smiled into the phone. He loved his brother, but the man was a fool.

"Well, you know how we good girls always go for the bad boys, the badder the better! Listen, I don't want to cut this off, but I have to. Have a good cruise, don't get run over by any whales."

"When I get back, I'm expecting to be told where to show up with my tux."

"Don't joke."

"Listen girl, I know my brother better than I know myself, you don't have anything to worry about. Hang in there."

"Bye," she quietly spoke into the phone as the connection broke.

She hoped James was right because she was planning the biggest risk of her life when she got back.

*

Author's Note: The military author, WEB Griffin, once referred to a submarine as a 'sinking sewer pipe' and it so amused me, I had to steal it! Thank you AsylumSeeker for editing.



Ready Ch. 07



The End or the Beginning: Can they get it right?

*

The sun was hanging low in the mid-summer sky as the crowd around her grew weary. They had been waiting for five hours in the sweltering North Carolina heat. Their signs, carefully painted, banners, furled but ready, and balloons clutched in sweaty hands all showed the love their makers kept in check, ready to pour out onto those so long prayed for, so long worried over.

And then there were the flags, hundreds of flags. Someone had taken the time to put the tiny symbols of patriotism along the nearby fence line, little girls had flags anchored in their pigtails, and fathers had flag lapel pins. Deonne, herself sporting a small flag, had long ago given up her nervous twirling and finally rolled it up and put it in her purse.

She had never been on this side of the return, the family side. She had always flown in from the carrier and climbed out of the cockpit thankful when someone was there to greet her, happy to be home, and never truly understanding the worry and fear of those left to continue on with a significant part of their life missing and in harm's way.

Deonne had worried about Kevin while she was deployed, but the constant pace of life aboard ship, the seven-day work week and twelve-hour shifts left little time to dwell on it. Life back home existed in suspended animation, with only the occasional jarring of reality. Someone's wife would have a baby, someone's father died, a spouse would graduate college, or a child made an all-star team. 

But even the constant undercurrent of relationship drama and anxiety that is ever present during a long deployment among hundreds of young single and newly married sailors sits in an uneasy holding pattern, waiting to be finally worked out at the end of deployment.

The plane full of soldiers they were all waiting for had not arrived on time, there was some unknown delay. Then the man had come out and said it might not arrive at all, but he would let them know as soon as possible.

As the hours of waiting had stretched, she had grown more and more nervous. All her fears kept resurfacing. What if she had made a huge mistake? What if he really was not happy to see her? What if he looked at her with his old disdain? Or worse, what if he looked right through her? She was starting to hate each single minute of waiting more than she had all the previous months combined.

The knot in her stomach would not go away. Her father was right, she didn't like to risk her heart or her security, and she was gambling both. Her brother, Phil, had reminded her that you never win if you never play the game. So, she said goodbye to the Navy and gave up forever going Mach 2, packed her bags and moved to Fayetteville.

Eventually the man, a colonel, had come out and announced that the flight had gotten delayed indefinitely, but there was a chance it would arrive in the middle of the night. Sometimes the flights would come in the next day at the same scheduled time, so call ahead, the man said. Deonne watched as every single shoulder sagged with disappointment, and then they all trudged back to their cars.

James arranged for her to get the key for Kevin's apartment. She had come by earlier to put things in the fridge, some milk, eggs, bread, juice and homemade pudding and chocolate chip cookies. She figured if it didn't go well, she could try to get to him through his stomach. After leaving the airstrip, she had argued with herself about going back to her own apartment, but the need to see him beat out the chicken in her so she decided in the end to go to his.

She was quite familiar with his place, yet she felt like an intruder. It was so quiet and lonely without him here. What if James was wrong? What if he was furious to find her in his apartment?

Deonne wandered around the neat, masculine living room running her hand over the black leather loveseat and squeezing her hands into the soft red throw as ghosts of joy-filled memories haunted her mind. She remembered how he had fucked her hard once over the back of this couch, her hands had gripped the throw then, but in ecstasy.

Afterward he had teased her and refused to let her get dressed. She had wrapped herself up in the soft cover, but had made sure that when she sat down, it hid nothing and pretty soon her own teasing had gotten her fucked again, this time while being carried around the apartment before collapsing onto the bed.

Next she moved into the bedroom. Opening a drawer she pulled out a t-shirt and inhaled his scent. Clutching it she lay on the bed, tucking the soft cotton under her chin.

*****

Kevin reached for the light and dropped the duffel and backpack on the floor. Standing just inside the apartment, he looked around taking in the familiar furnishings, letting his weary eyes grow accustomed to the light and his brain to the clean, modern surroundings that were light years from his life two days ago. Then he saw it. He didn't recognize the bag, but he knew that NAVY key chain on the coffee table beside it. His breath caught and his eyes darted around the room, searching. Moving quickly to the bedroom door he found her lying curled up in the middle of his bed sleeping. As he stood watching her, feelings he spent months trying to bury rushed at him. He found his hands shaking as he blinked away tears at the significance of what her being here meant.

Her hair was longer, down to her shoulders, and she was wearing a short pink sun dress. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever set eyes on. He wanted to touch her, run his hand down her tan arm, to make sure it wasn't a dream. He wanted to hold her, tell her how much she meant to him. Stepping slowly forward he reached out and saw the contrast of his grubby hand next to her satin skin, the dirt and grime from loading the cargo plane having been stuck on for days and found himself unable to soil the radiant beauty that lay before him, so fresh, clean, bright.

Backing away he quietly slipped into the bathroom, silently closing the door behind him. Peeling off his clothing and stepping into the shower he felt the clean, warm water wash the dirt off, wash the stench of a harsh, often primitive struggle with the brutal realities and constant setbacks his team had encountered in trying to do their small part to help a people build a safe community.

Coming out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist, Kevin grabbed the red throw off the back of the couch to cover them since she was on top of the spread.

Carefully lying beside her, he tucked his body around hers, taking pleasure in the contact. He realized this feeling of contentment washing over him was the real feeling of being home. Truly home.

Deonne stirred and, blinking her eyes, she started to sit up.

"Shhh, go back to sleep," Kevin whispered and pulled her back to him.

"Kev?" she asked and moved again, trying to turn towards him while still half-asleep, attempting to figure it out.

"Go back to sleep. We'll talk in the morning," he promised. Kevin hated waking her, she was so peaceful, so beautiful and he relished holding her, feeling her against him. He couldn't believe she was here and he never wanted to let her go.

Crying out Deonne continued her struggle to turn around inside his arms. Then she was putting her arms around his neck and her lips were kissing his chin and jaw and neck and ear. Tears ran down her cheeks and wet his neck and face as she hugged and kissed her way up to his mouth.

"Kev," she whispered and looked at him as he gazed back in the dim light cast from the living room. She ran her hands down the sides of his face. "I missed you so much." "That doesn't even begin to describe what I felt," Kevin replied, looking at her earnest upturned face. He still couldn't believe she was here.

"Does that mean you'll take me back?" she asked as a small smile formed on her lips. 

Kevin couldn't stop a little grunt of laughter. "I think it's more like, will you take me back?" As fast as it came, the smile fell from his eyes. "Dee, I don't know where to begin to say sorry for the way I..."

Deonne reached up and touched her fingers to his lips, quieting him.

"Shhh. Not now."

Kevin was already kissing the fingers she placed in front of his mouth. He skimmed his lips down her arm, feeling the softness against his cheek, then caressed her inner elbow before turning and seeking her lips. Moving over her he deepened the kiss, tangling his tongue with hers as he savored her taste, the feel of her mouth. It was just as he remembered, better than he remembered.

"I can't believe you're here," he whispered.

Deonne pushed him back and, never taking her eyes off his, sat up and reached behind to tug the zipper of her dress down. Tossing it to the floor she unsnapped the lacy white bra, letting it join the dress on the floor.

Kevin smiled and reached up to run his finger along the tan lines that highlighted her tits. "You've gotten a summer tan."

"It's amazing what you have time for when you aren't working fourteen hour days."

Kevin turned his attention from her captivating globes and looked in her eyes. "You got out?"

Deonne, however, was completely distracted and busy running her hands down his hard stomach and unwrapping the towel around Kevin's waist like it was a long overdue present and barely murmured, "Uh-huh."

Looking down at his aroused dick, she picked it up like a precious gift which brought Kevin's complete attention back to the matter at hand, rather, in her hand.

"Babe."

Bending over, she slipped her mouth over his now iron-hard dick, licking across his helmet before trying to put the tip of that pink tongue into his slit, licking up the pre-cum that had started seeping out.

Closing his eyes, Kevin laid back and enjoyed the feel of her mouth on him. He ran his fingers through her thick brown waves and she stopped to look up at him. Opening his eyes suddenly at her withdrawal, he took in her mussed hair, lust-filled eyes and wet lips.

"So beautiful," he murmured before pulling her up against him.

Shifting, Deonne tugged at her little pink and white panties, slipping them down her legs, while grabbing his cock and settling slowly over him, taking him deep. Lifting up she came back down again, this time a little deeper, a little harder. With each stroke she took more in until at last she was fully seated, burying him within her. Stopping, she adjusted, letting her body remember his. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"You feel so good."

Unable to sit still, her hips started moving in slow, small circles. Rocking back and forth, her clit rubbed against the skin and hair above his penis as Kevin played with her tits, squeezing and molding them, pinching and twisting the nipples. Deonne moaned and squirmed even more. Her pussy couldn't take it any more and she started sliding up and down on his thick pole, delighted to be back in business, doing what she was created to do.

Soon she was bouncing up and down on his cock. Kevin moved his hands to her hips making sure she stayed seated right where he wanted her and, smiling, he watched her tits do a lively dance unable to keep up with the movements of her body.

He wasn't going to last long, the shock to his dick of a warm pussy after a year-long hiatus was working against him and she felt so damn good, so soft and so feminine. He wanted to melt into her delicate curves. Somehow his dick could tell she was getting ready, the inner muscles swelling and growing a little tighter, she was milking him a little harder, and her hands cupping and clawing at her tits.

Reaching up he pulled her lips down for a hungry kiss and, wrapping his arms around her back, he rolled them over, putting her under him. Sliding his hands over her ass and down her thighs he wrapped them around him.

Leaning back he looked down to where he was slowing their pace by pulling and pushing his length unhurriedly in and out of her wet slit.

"Look at us baby. Look how we fit together." She looked down his flat, muscle-rippled stomach to where his thick penis disappeared between her legs. The sight was both welcoming and erotic.

"It don't matter," Kevin continued, his breathing starting to deepen and catch, "where we are or what's going on. This is home." 

Lowering to his elbows he started kissing her. First her mouth in a short, sweet open caress, then one cheek and the other. Next her forehead and nose before moving back to her mouth with an increasing urgency, smearing his lips along hers and making little nips. Licking and tugging her bottom lip he gently bit it before covering her mouth and thrusting his tongue inside, mimicking his cock which was also picking up speed. 

Kevin began plunging full tilt into her engorged, needy crevice. The slap of his balls against her wet crack competed with the noise of the headboard hitting the wall. The pressure in his balls was growing to a fever pitch and he reached under and grabbed her ass, squeezing and pulling her into the uncontrollable thrusts of his cock.

Kevin crammed every bit of his cock as far up into her as he could go as his hot seed erupted out of his balls and shot through his cock, blasting her with his creamy come.

"Fuck!" He felt Deonne quivering under him, deep in the throes of her own orgasm, the clinching of her muscles drawing every drop out of his sac. Over and over he pulled back before ramming forward and firing into her sheath, coating her, grunting with each release.

Kevin lay there breathing hard, exhausted and limp on top of Deonne when he realized he had his full weight on her and started to move, but she tightened her climax-weakened arms and legs around him.

"Don't."

"I'm crushing you," he pointed out and supported himself on his elbows, allowing her to breathe.

"I like feeling your weight on me. Don't pull out yet, I want you there forever."

Deonne squeezed him to her, rubbing the side of her face on his chest. They lay like that for a long while before he pulled out and turned to his side, drawing her next to him.

Kevin's jaw stretched into a yawn. The exhaustion of two days of travel on top of days of endless preparations for the journey home were catching up to him. Deonne, herself, had not been able to sleep a wink the night before, eager and nervous over his return. Sliding under the covers they were both soon asleep, spooned together.

*****

Kevin awoke the next morning to the bright sunlight streaming between the cracks of his dark, heavy curtains, telling him it was late in the morning. He found himself trapped in a soft, feminine prison. Deonne's head lay on his chest, their legs tangled and the cold toes of one of her feet tucked between his calf and the mattress. He never thought he'd be happy to feel those freezing toes, but he realized he was grinning. 

Then he heard her words, whispered so quietly he almost missed them.

"Promise you won't ever walk out on me again."

Kevin squeezed his eyes shut and his heart clutched. "Promise."

Her gentle breath felt like a whisper on his chest as her lips kissed him. His fingers trailed over her back before coming up to play with her hair, running strands of it through his fingers.

"I promise I won't ever walk out like that again. I won't quit on us. I love you too damn much to go through this shit again. But I'm still the same ol' hard ass I was before. Dee, baby, I can't promise I won't get mad or impatient or blow up again. I can't even promise I won't stomp out the door.

"And, girl, you're going to get mad at me sometime and you're going to want to stomp off somewhere and lick your wounds, too. But I promise you, if you really think you can put up with me and my crazy life, I will never leave you. I'll always come back in through that door. You may someday wish I would just stay gone, but I'll come back in even if I have to break the damn door down."

"What did you just say?"

"I said I ain't ever leavin' ya again."

"No. That other thing."

She lifted up and looked at him intently, barely breathing, and Kevin looked at her quizzically.

"You don't realize what you just said." She tilted her head, smiling at him, and he shook his head.

"Why? Why won't you ever leave me again?" she asked, and she saw the realization move across his face.

"Because I love you. I love you."

"Took you long enough to figure it out."

"Too damn long," he replied as his dark brown eyes looked back at her, serious and with a touch of sadness.

"You know when I realized I loved you? It was—"

"Oh, you love me?" he cut in, a smile now tugging on his lips.

"You know I do, goofball, I told you a long time ago," she reminded him as she squinted her eyes at him, irritated he had interrupted her story.

"Yes, and it was the saddest moment in my life. So, tell me again."

"Sad? That's awful. I didn't want you to be sad!"

"Tell me again. I promise to not be." He smiled at her, eager to hear her words.

"I love you, Kevin Banning," she said with a smile, bringing a twinkle to her green eyes.

"Thank you." Lifting his head and giving her a small kiss. "Now tell me."

"Tell you what? Oh, yeah. When I first realized I loved you." Deonne couldn't contain her ever-present energy in the telling, so she sat up and threw her legs over his waist, her hands and arms helping relay the story.

"Well, I'm not sure when I actually really loved you, I'm sure it was much earlier, but it was when we were laying on the beach over by Oceana that one time, oh, like your third visit, before I went to San Diego. It was cold and we had gone walking all bundled up and ended up laying on the sand listening to the ocean and watching the clouds, really just doing nothing together, just hanging out and enjoying each other after days of... of..."

"Fucking?" he helped with a smile.

"Yeah. Anyway, I told you some stupid joke and you cracked up. I sat there watching you laugh, your whole face lit up and it hit me; I loved you, I could spend my whole life with you and never get tired of being with you."

"Babe..."

She leaned over and kissed him chastely on the lips before flopping over next to him and putting her head back on his chest.

"I was falling for you back during the mating ritual," he abruptly replied.

Deonne rolled her eyes at his reference because she didn't see it quite that way.

"I had plans and a girl. You were this crazy, wound-up white chick from the country; you were from another planet. And damn, if you weren't sucking me in, driving me crazy. But when I knew, really knew, was when you made me pull over for that stray mutt alongside the highway. 

"You were guaranteed to be late for work and there you were running up to that mangy dog hugging it like it was your long-lost child and putting it in your spotless car. You made me-" 

"Promise to take it to the no-kill shelter while I was at work," she put in.

He had been visiting her in San Diego, but she wasn't able to get leave, so they just took what time they had. She'd only been late for work three days that week, which was pretty good considering she wasn't getting any sleep.

"I didn't recognize it as love, but I realized I wanted to be that mutt. I wanted you holding onto me that way, looking out for me. I wanted this girl who loves with her whole heart, who understands compassion and devotion, who still blushes and who gives generously and embraces life. Who would shine some light into mine," he finished and grew quiet. "Then I got selfish and threw it all away."

"No."

"Yeah, I did. I wanted you so badly. I wanted you to give up your whole life to be near me so I could see if this thing could work. I wasn't willing to do anything. All I could think about was how I might be able to keep you if I could just get you to move closer. I didn't give a damn about what you were thinking or what you might be going though, or even the sacrifice I was asking you to make.




Ready Ch. 07



"Then, after driving you to keep your deployment from me, just to keep the peace, I decided you had kept something from me. My angel, the one person I could always count on for the truth, had kept something from me. Well, sweetheart, you aren't an angel, you're just human, even if you are one of the nicest people I know, but still, you don't sit on a pedestal, and when pushed, you obviously push back. I'm glad you do, but I was an ass. 

"And I'm still that fuckin' selfish bastard because I don't have anything to offer you but a career-crippling life in a small-time army town, and a lot of time alone. But, God, I want you with me."

"Is that what you think? You make it sound like I'm some sort of sacrificial nun gone to Calcutta to work with the world's poor! Do you really think a good life can't be made in a small town? And what about me ever screamed corporate climber? Oh, Kevin, I'm just what you said, a crazy country girl, but I've learned I can be flexible, I can adapt and even enjoy it." Just then her eyes caught the alarm clock on the nightstand.

"OH MY GOD!! Is it really eleven-thirty?" she yelled out the question. 

With that she jumped off the bed and Kevin lay there blinking, wondering what the hell was going on. In a dash she was in the bathroom standing under a cold shower, years of Navy training coming out as she took a thorough but instant three-minute shower before throwing her wrinkled sundress back on.

Sprinting back into the bedroom she ran up to Kevin and gave him a quick kiss which gave him a chance to hold on and slow her down for only a second.

"Whoa, where you going?"

"Sorry," she apologized before pulling away from him to grab her sandals, hopping and stepping, trying to put them on as she made her way to her purse and the door. "I'll be back in two hours! There's stuff to eat in the fridge. I'll explain then."

With that she flew through the door and was gone.

"What the fuck?" he asked out loud but quickly realized he was talking to a closed door. 

An hour later he was sitting on his couch in shorts and a t-shirt finishing a bowl of pudding when his phone rang.

"Shit." He knew who that was, he'd forgotten. 

He picked up his cell phone and unplugged it from the charger. He was the only idiot he knew who paid for phone service while he was out of the country for months on end, but he got sick of shutting it down and starting it up again and dealing with the number changes.

"Hi, Momma."

"Hello, son. Deonne told me you were going to be late, but when I couldn't reach her phone just now, I thought I'd try yours. You have a good flight?" He had talked to her before they left the mid-east, so she knew he was safe and coming home.

"We got delayed, but other than that, it was good."

"Now, is that girl there? Or have you completely lost your mind and messed it up again? That little thing's been fretting over you since she got off that ship and the sooner you figure out what you've got there the better."

"She had to run out for a minute, but she's here. We're workin' it out ma."

"What's to work out? You get down on those knees and apologize and beg her to take you back! The only thing you need to work out is the wedding date so I can put it on my calendar. Get busy boy!"

"Momma," he sighed as he smiled into the phone, "I'll get to it! Give me time!"

"Listen baby, I just wanted to touch base and make sure you got in okay. Are you still planning to get some leave and come see us, or do we need to plan a trip out there?" His parents had retired from the Army near his mother's relatives in California.

"I've got some leave coming in a couple of weeks, after we get settled in."

"I expect Deonne, too, tell her we look forward to seeing her. And her ring," his mother added for emphasis. Kevin just smiled.

"Bye, Momma, love you."

"Love you too, son, love you too. Now, get busy. I need me some grandbabies."

Christ Almighty. He knew she wasn't going to let that go until it happened. Thank God he wanted her to have some. But he needed a wife first.

*****

He was just pondering his chances of hunting her down when he heard the door rattling. Looking up from sorting his dirty laundry he saw Deonne coming in juggling two armloads of groceries.

"Grab the wine bottle, will ya?" she asked over the tops of the bags.

Kevin took the bottle and a bag and turned to go into the kitchen just as Deonne stumbled over his duffle bag, flinging the entire of bag of groceries in her arm out across the room.

"Ooof!"

"Baby! Are you okay?" Kevin hurriedly set down his bag and rushed over to her.

"Damn!" She was rubbing her knee, but nothing was broken. "I think I flattened the Italian bread." She looked up at him, her eyes flashing. "Don't laugh."

From the look in her eyes he could tell he was toast if he did, or worse, he might not get to taste what she planned to feed him in a little while.

"Are you hungry? I'm starved, that's why I stopped at the store on the way back."

"I've been eating cookies and pudding for almost three hours, but some real food would be wonderful."

"Good."

They gathered up her mess and Deonne got to work making a simple meal.

"Everyone else gets spaghetti, I get linguine with clam sauce. Damn." He smiled at her. "Now, if I could just get you to try cooking me some chitterlings and hog maws, I would know I was in heaven."

Her eyes grew wide at the thought and she looked at him like he's lost his mind.

"Sure, just as soon as you try some of my grandma's rice with milk and sugar," she fired back and smiled sweetly at him.

"That's sick."

"Wimp."

"So, where were you while I was cooling my heels, missin' my baby?"

"Class. Do you know how embarrassing it was walking in there like a sorority sister doing the Walk of Shame? I'm the instructor!" She gave him a pained expression and pointed the wooden spoon at herself.

He had no idea what she was talking about, but he decided to practice patience. He figured it would come in handy over time.

"When I got off the ship, my time was almost over, so I out-processed, packed my stuff up and moved here. All or nothing, I decided.

"When I was at the college learning what I needed to do to get a teaching credential I saw the job openings for developmental teachers. You only need a bachelor's at that level. I wasn't sure my engineering degree would work, but I guess they're pretty desperate, at least for the summer, so I got a part-time job teaching beginning algebra on post. 

"I actually really love it and changed my mind, I don't want to torture junior high kids anymore, which had been my plan coming here. I really like working with the returning adults and I guess the schedule can be pretty flexible each semester from what I hear from the regular instructors.

"I hope they pick me up again in the fall. I've also signed up for grad classes, but instead of education, I've changed to math." Chuckling, she added, "It'll probably be easier for me!"

"Where's your stuff? None of it's here."

"That's because, buster, it's in my apartment across town, closer to the college," she explained before sliding the mangled loaf of bread, a small bowl of garlic butter she had mixed up and a knife his direction. "See what you can do with that."

He just smiled at her.

"Don't look at me like that. I didn't know what you were going to do when you saw me. I could be sitting on my sofa right now crying my eyes out, once and for all truly dumped! Aaand, I don't shack up." She looked up at him expecting a fight, but he just returned her look.

"I know you don't, babe."

Kevin cut off the mashed part, then sliced the remaining bread lengthwise and remarked casually, "I talked to my mom. I think she wants us to buy a house."

"What?" Deonne gave him a concerned look, like maybe she heard him wrong.

"Well, she just insinuated it," he explained while trying to keep a straight, mild face. Deonne's face changed to one of inquiry before turning to drain the clams.

"She told me to get her some grandbabies. And grandbabies need bedrooms and a yard full of toys, right?"

Deonne stood holding the empty clam jar as she stared, unseeing, into the sink. She realized she had stopped breathing. Finally, she turned her face to look at him on the other side of the kitchen counter.

"What do you mean?" she whispered, fighting for breath.

"Marry me."

Deonne just stood there, blinking. Kevin tried to move around the counter into the kitchen, but he found that fear had him rooted to the floor, he couldn't read her face.

"Are you asking?" she asked uncertainly, still looking shocked.

Kevin smiled and gave a short laugh.

"More like begging."

"You're not just asking me because I won't shack up with you?"

"Damn, Dee, you're making this hard on a man. No! It's not because you won't shack up with me! Fuck!"

"Well, it's not the most romantic proposal a girl's ever gotten." Unwanted tears flooded her eyes and she blinked to wipe them away before turning to the finished pasta. Picking up the pot she dumped the contents into the strainer.

Deonne felt his hands on her shoulders as he turned her around. Taking the pot from her hands and setting it on the counter he tilted her face up to his.

"You're right. I'm sorry. It was a shitty proposal. And I don't even have a ring to give you. Deonne, I love you. This isn't just about sex and convenience; it's about a lifetime and a family. If you'll have me, I'd be honored to have you as my wife. I can't imagine going through the rest of it like I have been these past eighteen months. Please say yes. Please marry me." 

He stopped and watched her face, but she kept looking down and swallowing, blinking back tears.

"No," she whispered.

*

Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to post, but after taking to heart valuable feedback, I realized my story needed a re-work. Studying and struggling over plot have slowed things down. Thanks for taking time to read, and for the encouraging comments. Lit writers live for those comments! Thanks to AsylumSeeker for editing.



Ready Ch. 08



Kevin stood in silence as her whispered 'no' echoed inside his head. Confusion and fear tore at him, the emotions playing across his face.

"But you said you loved me." He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. As her tear filled green eyes rose to meet his, his breath caught.

He could see it, the leeriness. She didn't trust him.

Kevin stood holding his breath, unable to move, feeling sucker-punched. Finally, he pulled back as numbness washed over him.

Reaching up, she laid her hand against his cheek, her thumb scraping along his day-old beard, trailing where his dimple creased when he smiled. It was an old habit of hers. "I do," her words were barely audible. "You know I do."

Sadness moved across her face and a small fear started in his stomach. Clamping down on the sense of alarm threatening to overtake him, he realized armed combat was not necessarily the worst thing he had faced after all.

"Baby, you don't have to make a decision now. I know it's--"

"Kev," she interrupted, "I'm here. Just accept that for now." She had been dreaming and longing for this moment, but she couldn't do it. She wasn't ready.

He started to speak, but she continued. "You know, when I got out of the Navy, I went back home for a visit before coming here. And I never wanted to talk to my mom so badly in my whole life as I did then. She always could see through a situation, help you work it out." 

Deonne paused and looked at the floor before continuing. "I went to visit her grave. You know, I hadn't been there since the funeral? I couldn't, like . . . I couldn't admit she was gone, just bones in the cold ground. My mom; nothing but the name on a headstone and a horrible, awful date."

She swallowed and looked up. Kevin saw a sober acceptance in her eyes and waited for her to continue.

"Anyway, I hung out, helped Marc and Dad some with the farm. I took Abby and Kylie down to our old swimming hole in the creek We spent a day building the dam back up. I always forget what a country girl I am until I'm back home."

"Hoover Dam? Gonna flood the farm next time it rains?" Kevin's mouth perked at the corners.

"Not exactly. More like something a beaver'd be ashamed of, but gets the water up almost to your knees!"

They both chuckled and Kevin rubbed her shoulders before sliding his arms around her, pulling her against him. He caught the fresh scent of jasmine from her hair. Breathing her in was always like smelling summer and sunshine.

"How is your family?" Kevin went along with her topic diversion, not sure if she had a point or was avoiding the subject of marriage altogether. At this point, he was just glad they were in the same room and talking. 

"Mmm, yes." A smile warmed her face again. "I think I heard wedding bells in the air."

"Your dad?" He really liked her father, but after walking out on Dee, he figured he was persona non grata in that man's house.

"Uh-huh. He's remodeling the kitchen. Helen and I went and picked out paint and material for curtains. He ain't fixin' that kitchen up for himself."

"You alright with that?"

"Actually, I am. It felt a little weird when I first got there, but then it just seemed natural that she should be there. She loves my dad and has his best interests at heart." She shrugged. Her always mobile expression went from thoughtful to mischievous.

"Marc's got someone helping him with the girls."

"Yeah?"

"She seems kind of young for a cleaning lady nanny type, but around those parts you take whatever work you can find. Josie and I went to school together."

"So, she's working out?" Kevin asked, a typical male without a clue.

"Oh, yeah. I'm not sure what's going on there, more than meets the eye, I'm betting."

"I'm glad you got to spend some time with your folks. Maybe get some of that country bumpkin out of your system."

"Hey!" She grabbed an inch of skin under her hand and gave it a twist. "I had a great time! You just need more practice at it."

Kevin rolled his eyes. Maybe Deonne didn't realize just how much outdoor time he actually got. Granted, he wasn't usually dealing with cows and roosters named Harold, but he had an intimate relationship with nature.

"One night," she interrupted his thoughts, "I laid out in the back yard and watched the lightning bugs light up the maple tree like it was Christmas. When I was a little girl, it would get so hot upstairs in the summer. It was impossible to sleep, so I'd get up and sit by the window and watch that tree twinkle. The crickets would be goin' crazy down by the creek. I thought that tree was the most beautiful thing." She looked up at him. "You ever do that as a kid?"

He shook his head. "Hmm-mmm." His army brat life had him living mostly in base housing, and his dad was enlisted, so that often meant apartments or duplex's. He had a different kind of childhood. He got his share of staring at trees now, when he wasn't in desert surroundings, but the twinkling he was often looking for wasn't fireflies.

She had stopped, and Kevin let her have time for her memories. He imagined her as a little girl, peering out the window, innocent and eager for the future, unsuspecting of its harsh realities.

"I had a lot of time to slow down and think," she continued.

"Yeah?"

"What I realized was I really did want to give this a chance, but you want too much and I've bent too much. So, it's your turn. I'm here, but for now, that's it."

Was she out of her mind? His turn? What the hell did she mean by that? Didn't he just fuckin' propose to the woman?

"What the hell do you want from me?"

Kevin cringed. Shit. Did he just say that out loud?

Deonne pulled away and her eyes grew guarded. Stepping back, she pushed around him and picking up speed, grabbed her purse off the coffee table.

"Dee! Baby! Don't! I didn't mean that . . . Deonne." He moved quickly to catch up to her. As he got near, she held up her hand, stopping him.

"You propose to me over a pot of noodles! You never thought out any of it. You don't even have a ring! You just expect to throw down what you want and I'm just supposed to be happy and go along with it. Well, it's not going to work that way! When you figure it out, you let me know! Good-bye, you fucking idiot!"

Turning, she jerked the door open before storming out.

****

A week later he still hadn't figured it out yet and she hadn't quite forgiven him, but Kevin and Deonne had entered into a sort of truce and were facing each other across the laminate table of The Barbecue Hut.

"I got the tickets. You sure you can get someone to cover for you on such short notice?" His look was closed. Kevin was in lock-down mode.

Deonne chewed on the barbecue she'd just stuffed into her face and tried to hurry it down with a swallow of her tea. Sweet tea. She made a vow to add another half mile to her morning jog. Southern food was going to be the death of her.

"No problem."

Kevin was referring to their upcoming trip to visit his parents. Deonne loved Kev's parents but she wasn't sure how well the visit would go this time as she and Kevin were definitely struggling. Glancing up at him, she noted his still guarded look and wondered if her own was a reflection of it. She wasn't sure how to handle this. He was usually so frank, never holding an opinion back, but now she couldn't read him.

Kevin looked at his watch. She had picked him up for lunch and would drop him off before heading back for her afternoon class.

"Guess I need to be gettin' back," he said while gathering up his unfinished meal. 

Deonne looked up startled. She hadn't finished eating. It was unlike him to be so discourteous or unaware of her, her stomach clenched.

"But Kev--"

"What?"

"I'm . . . never mind." She wadded her sandwich in the papers and picked up her tray.

"What?" he asked more forcefully.

"I said never mind."

"If you have something to say, just say it." 

Looking up at his hard features she felt sympathy for any of his subordinates who might need a disciplinary meeting with Captain Banning.

Deonne sighed and plunked down her tray. Her eyes softened as she looked at him, trying like hell to figure out what he was thinking, what she should say. She sighed again.

"Don't be like this," she finally pleaded in a low voice.

"You want something from me I can't give."

"That's not true unless you don't really love me."

"I do, and I've told you that. You want some . . . some . . . I don't know what the fuck you want. Proof? I told you I love you. I proposed. I apologized, did you not believe me?" He looked at her, searching. "Or is it you really haven't forgiven me?"

"Yes! Of course!" The look of hurt in her eyes was hard to miss, but Kevin wasn't so sure. He remembered that look of distrust that passed across her eyes the day he proposed. It was just a glimmer, but he knew what he'd seen. She wasn't upset over a botched proposal, of that he was sure.

"Babe, what proof can I give you? I'm back asking what do you want? What's gonna be good enough?"

Standing, he took his tray and moved towards the door letting her follow.

Pulling up in front of his building a few minutes later, she turned and leaned over for a kiss, but Kevin had the door open and was getting out without even looking at her. 

Oh, God, she thought.

"Time," she said as his foot hit the pavement.

"What?" he replied looking back over his shoulder. 

"Time. That's all I'm wanting." Her eyes pleaded with him, hoping for understanding.

"That's what you say, but I'm not so sure that's really what this is all about. How's that gonna help? Are you expecting it to really not work?" Even as he said it, he realized this was what had him tied in knots. Fuck.

"No. I'm just asking you for some time, that's all." Her eyes fell, then met his again. "You're gonna come over tonight, right?"

Kevin looked at her for a moment before replying. "I'm not sure. Some new equipment came in and it'll need to be processed."

Deonne watched his back retreating up the walk before banging her head gently against her fingers on the steering wheel in frustration three times.

****

Fuck.

Kevin sank back into his couch and stared into the tumbler of Jack Daniels he held in his hand. He hadn't gone over to Deonne's. The equipment was handled by his first sergeant and there had been no need for him to stay, so he came home. He fuckin' needed to get a grip.

He knew he should be thrilled beyond belief that Deonne was even in his life again. He should be grateful for whatever relationship she was willing to have with him. So, why the hell was he acting like a two year old being denied candy? 

Ah, candy. 

That was exactly what was going on. He wanted his candy. He grinned at the thought. Actually, he could have some of the candy, he was just being greedy; he wanted the whole bowl now. 

Well hell. 

When had he gotten so stupid? Why not go have some candy? And have some more candy the next day, and the next? Pretty soon, he could probably talk her into just giving him the whole bowl--a permanent, full-time, before God and the world, relationship. It might be old-fashioned, but he wanted her hooked to him.

Sitting up he put his barely touched drink down with a small thud. 

Screw it. 

Standing, he grabbed the keys off the bar and strode to the door. He needed candy. 

****

Deonne opened the door to her apartment with a jerk, surprised at seeing Kevin smiling back at her through the peephole. Before she could react, Kevin leaned his body into hers, tugging her into a hard kiss as he stepped through the doorway. 

Pulling away, she caught her breath and gave him a curious look.

"Wanna fuck?" He was grinning at her and she remembered what a sucker she was for those twinkling eyes and that sexy smile. Looking down she caught sight of what he was dangling between them. Her eyes narrowed.

"You bribing me with chocolate?"

"Is it working?"

"Lemme see," she said while grabbing the bag of mini Dove squares from his hand and tearing the wrapper off one.

Deonne closed her eyes and moaned as the richness of the chocolate melted and coated her mouth. Opening her eyes, she tossed the bag towards the table, not noticing that it missed by a mile. Reaching up she cupped both her breasts and gave Kevin a look full of heat.

His smile disappeared and hunger filled his eyes as he focused on her hands molding and shaping her full tits, twisting her shirt and causing it to ride up. His dick twitched inside his boxers.

He took a step towards her and Deonne put a hand on his chest, stopping his movement.

"Think you owe me more than chocolate, babe." The remaining hand gave one last squeeze before moving down her stomach to caress her pussy. With Kevin so close and her need so great, Deonne couldn't stop a quiet moan for escaping.

Cupping her head with both hands, Kevin grew serious and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth.

"Sorry. I was a butt at lunch." He placed another peck on her lips.

"Yes, you were. But you saved me six hundred calories easy, so I'm thinking of forgiving you." She let him kiss her again. This time it was more of a nibble and a suck, and made her long for his tongue.

"I was just thinking of you." He nipped at her again, enjoying the chocolaty sweetness and a hint of her. His hands caressed her waist.

"Sure you were." Ah, another nip and some tongue. She tried to capture that elusive treat and failed.

"Matter of fact, haven't thought of anything else since." His hands embraced her ass and brought her against his throbbing cock. This time his tongue lingered, sliding against hers before retreating and licking her lips.

"You haven't?" The words came out in a whisper because one of his hands was now helping hers between her legs and his mouth was suckling her neck and earlobe.

"Been cravin' my baby. Need her so bad."

Freeing her hand she worked his belt and jeans open. Stretching the boxers down, Kevin's turgid cock tilted forward and Deonne wrapped her fingers around its thick length.

"Oh, God. Babe," he groaned, feeling her firm grip both comfort and tease him. He was rock hard and starting to leak. She always got to him, but he hadn't recovered from his long-term deprivation, so he was about to explode.

"I didn't think you were going to come." She sounded a little distracted because she was looking down at her pale fingers moving over his ebony pole.

This was one time when he didn't think one hundred percent complete tell-all honesty was wise. She already knew he was a screw up, why make it worse?

"Oh, I'm gonna come alright. Any second now if you keep that up," he replied with a sigh, his eyes closing from pleasure as she bent and made a wet swipe with her tongue over the end of his glans. 

His hands held her head as she began flicking the underside of his now throbbing length. Pulling her up against him, he drove his tongue into her mouth, fucking, then sucking her lips before leaning back.

"I need my candy first, babe. Can't be having the end before the beginning." As he was speaking, he started walking her backwards toward her sturdy, wooden table. Leaning into her, he reached around to remove the flower centerpiece and then sat her on the edge. Next, he started on the buttons of her white cotton top. Soon both her top and bra hit the floor.

Lying back, Deonne's hands found her tits again. They were so sensitive and had a direct connection to her pussy. A sexy ornery smile touched her eyes and she placed her ankles on his shoulders and rotated her hips for Kevin's benefit. She knew exactly where this was going and she couldn't wait.

Unsnapping her denim shorts, he pulled them and her blue flowered panties off. More cotton. No one made the natural look as sexy as Deonne. Spreading her legs, he leaned in and licked his lips, catching the scent of her sweet nectar. 

"Now this is a much nicer centerpiece." His eyes were riveted to her glistening lips and puffy pink clit. 

Pushing her legs back off his shoulders he lowered his head and placed a feather-soft kiss on her pussy. Then, careful to savor his treat and not be too greedy all at once, he skimmed his tongue over her swollen lips, catching just a taste. Deonne whimpered and pinched her nipples, rocking her hips upward trying to increase the contact. Feeling the sweet torture shiver through her body made holding off more than worth it. Splitting her lower lips, he scooped some of the tangy nectar out with his tongue, savoring it before skimming over her clit. Deonne's breathing deepened and more essence trickled from her pussy.

Tilting his head back, he looked at his prize. 

"C'mon, Kev--" 

Glancing up, he caught her eyes pleading to him.

His cock was begging him to sample the treat too, but Kevin wasn't going to allow that until he had her coming. Deonne was rolling her pelvis up at him in small pumps, little by little getting closer to his mouth. Once, she had come so hard on his cock, she'd squirted, wetting his balls, his legs and the bed. Just the thought of her doing it again made him nearly come in his pants. One evening in Afghanistan his team has sat around contemplating the joys of female anatomy when the topic of squirting came up. Kevin was anxious to try out his newfound knowledge.

Latching his thick lips on her pussy, Kevin sucked hard and flicked his tongue over and around the fleshy nub. Drawing even harder on her sex, he pulled until his suction was broken, before starting again. Slipping two fingers into her sopping pussy, he rotated his hand, letting the two bent fingertips find her spongy g-spot. Kevin started slowly, learning his way.

"Ohgod, ohgod. That feels so good! God Kev, don't stop."

No fucking way was he going to do that! He increased his thrusting.

"Oh! Fuck!" Dee's legs came down around his shoulders, squeezing tight as her back arched, every muscle straining. Faster and faster those fingers stroked and fluttered inside, his hand smacking against her wet cunt. Half whimpers competed with louder and louder moans and pleas for release. Kevin clutched his iron-hard dick with his spare hand groaning at the small relief. He had never heard Dee be so vocal during sex. 

"Baby . . . let go," he commanded.

Then she was there. Drawn tight as a bowstring, Deonne whimpered, then cried out as her orgasm consumed her. Kevin pulled his hand away just as a plume of girl-cum splattered against his chest and sprinkled his face. Convulsing and moaning, shockwaves continued to tear through her before fading. Her pussy pulsed, still hyper-sensitive, the wetness glistened on her folds and ran down onto the table, dripping onto the floor below. Shaking, Deonne collapsed against the hard table, noticing for the first time the wood pinching her shoulder blades.

"Oh, God," she was puffing, still recovering, a stupid, post-orgasmic smile lighting her face. But it didn't last long. Between her legs was a determined man ripping the soaked t-shirt over his head.

"Look what you did, girl. You bad girl. Kevin's naughty girl," he teased, but his look was intense. He had his pants off now, and his eyes were fixed on her shiny wet folds as he pushed her legs back, giving himself a better view. 

"Hold your legs, babe."

Placing four fingers over her mound, he massaged her quivering pussy.

"Gonna need to be punished, gettin' your honey all soakin' wet like that." His fingers smacked down hard on her pussy, and watching her hips jump off the table, his nostrils flared. He slapped again.

"Ah!" Deonne could barely stay on the table as he slapped her again several times in rapid succession. Her hips rolled up into his hand and her cries fought with her need to breathe. A fresh flow of wetness trickled down, dripping onto the table.

As soon as Kevin stopped to rub her mound, soothing her screaming bundle of nerves, Deonne grabbed his hand. Her hips humped lewdly, trying to stuff his fingers inside her throbbing cunt. Her hips rocked against his hand, needing relief, the inner walls of her cunt squeezing and pulsing. Allowing her to jam three fingers deep only one time, he brought his hand up, smearing her lips with her own cream. 




Ready Ch. 08



"Taste yourself baby. Only bad little girls like you put out sweet little pussy like this." Her wet tongue licked at her lips and his fingers, slurping and sucking. Her body writhing with the need to be filled.

Leaning in, he mixed his tongue in with hers and his fingers. His thick tongue playing with hers.

"Mmm. Baby. So, fucking naughty. So, fucking delicious." 

Smoothing his hands down her chest, he cupped and molded her tits as he continued to suck her lips and tongue before dipping down to nibble and suck on her delightful pink nipples. Latching onto one, he bit down and Deonne thrust up in reflex.

"Kev. Please."

Abruptly Kevin lifted off and, pulling her off the table, spun her around and pushed down, this time with her ass tempting his turgid cock. 

Kevin inhaled, finding her mixture of fragrance and dripping sex intoxicating as he palmed her ass, the creamy skin warm against his hand. Pushing one leg to the side, he draped it over the corner of the table, exposing her lovely pussy and tight star.

Bracing herself on one elbow Deonne reached back and brushed her index finger over her clit and inserted two middle fingers.

"Why you making us wait?"

The desperation in her eyes as she gazed at him over her shoulder was all it took. Clasping her wrist, he bent her arm to the middle of her back and leaned against her puffy cleft, the fat head teasing and tempting. Slowly he sank deep, velvet soft wet heat pushing around him. Unable to stop himself once he was seated, he thrust hard causing her to grunt.

"You okay?"

"Don't stop."

Pulling nearly all the way out, he slid back home again, then again, each time going slightly faster. Watching the muscles in her back tighten and ripple as she attempted to work against him, he continued using her arm to anchor her to the table. His other hand smoothed along her back reaching her butt cheek.

Her pussy clutched at him, the wetness squishing out and wetting his balls with every inward thrust.

"Faster."

He allowed his rhythm to increase, knowing he might not last before she made it again. It just felt too good and he'd been on the edge too long. Leaning forward he moved her arm still in his hand up by her head and grasped her other arm bringing it alongside her face too. His chest was now over her back and his shaft was pumping into her, his balls hitting her clit with each thrust. 

"So good," she whimpered between breaths, the side of her face pushed against the rocking table. The wooden legs scraped against the floor in protest and the joints creaked, but nobody noticed. 

He was slamming into her now, his hands grasping her hips, hauling her back to counter her forward movement, and with each retreat her inner walls gripped harder and her soft moans grew louder. Watching his shaft sink between those puffy lips drove him higher. The tingling started in his tip and he knew he was done.

"Baby . . . I can't . . . so fuckin' close." Slowing his stroke, his throbbing manhood protested, but he wasn't alone on this ride. "You with me, babe?" God, his hands were shaking.

"Almost. Fuck, don't slow down."

Shit, if he sped back up, it was over and he could tell she was just a few seconds behind him. He knew how to push her over, bring her right along with him. Pulling his cock nearly out, he ran his thumb around her wet lips, then pushed back in, letting her wetness squish around his thickness, soaking his thumb. Bringing his thumb back around, he smeared and rubbed her juice over the sensitive wrinkled opening, and felt her pussy clamp down.

"God. Fuck! Baby . . . bab . . . ooh!" She was stuttering and stumbling, her fingers holding the edge of the table so hard the wood cut into her fingers.

Letting go, knowing they were together, Kevin starting bucking into her, allowing his cock to have its way. His thumb dug into Deonne's ass and she cried out in ecstasy. The table jerked and squeaked across the floor, groaning under protest and Kevin just hoped it held until he was though because there was no fucking way he could stop or hold them up.

Growling out his release, he slammed against her one last time as come shot into her quivering, pulsing center.

Shaking, he leaned against her back hoping the table had more strength than he did. Gasping, he continued to pump into, gentle releases, bringing them down.

"Goddamn." Leaning forward he pressed a kiss onto her back before helping her up.

"Shit, I needed that."

Turning her around he noticed the red slashes where the edge of the table had cut into her flesh.

"Baby! My God, look what I did." He rubbed his thumb against one of the marks.

"It's nothing. But I can't stand." Draping her arms around his neck. "I'm still so shaky."

Deonne shrieked as Kevin swooped her up and over his shoulder in a fireman's hold and took off for the bed, figuring his own wobbly legs would just make it. Dumping her on the bed, he landed nearly on top of her. Suddenly, with barely a protest in warning the left-side of the mattress gave way, hitting the floor with a thud. Deonne clutched Kevin's head as the world shifted, then they burst out in laughter.

"I can't believe the my table survived all that and the stupid bed went down without a fight."

"Your bed's a wimp, babe."

At that the other side crashed to the floor, humiliated.

"You did it now, you hurt it's feelings. We'll never be able to fuck on it again."

"That's okay. I got a bed. We just need one." 

Deonne rolled away and slanted her eyes towards him.

"Don't go there."

****

She was going to need dental work. If she didn't stop grinding her teeth soon, she was going to crack a molar. Sitting across from her was Kevin, and next to Kevin was the lovely Shawntee. If the lovely Shawntee, or The Trophy as Deonne used to call her, didn't take her fucking lovely hand off his arm soon, it was guaranteed Shawntee was going to need dental work too, and that wouldn't be lovely. The thought of Kevin's old girlfriend missing her two front teeth brought on a tiny smile, but didn't lessen the jealous tension.

They were sitting around Kevin's parents large patio table celebrating his safe return from combat. Watching Ruth Banning squeeze her son in a death grip for three full minutes when they arrived reminded Dee that Kevin might be her lover, but he would always be Mrs. Banning's baby boy, and she knew a mother's instinct would bring an even more intense worry than her own. Friends and family were gathered around, sitting wherever they could find a spot. The only person missing was James, who had six more months on his deployment. Deonne missed her friend. The last time she'd visited the Bannings he was here. It felt a little odd without him. 

An extra table had been set up in the yard for the children and Deonne smiled, noting the similarity to her own family with its tradition of The Grown-up Table and The Children's Table. Tom, Kevin's dad, was tending the grill, flanked by a noble rearguard of uncles and friends. If she weren't so busy shooting daggers at the lovely Shawntee, she would smile at that too. Barbecue was where her family and Kevin's parted ways. Her dad never stepped near food until he could lift it to his mouth with a fork, and the only outdoor cooked food her family ever partook was marshmallows and hotdogs over the occasional fall bonfire.

The Trophy giggled and Deonne's eyes snapped back to the trouble across the table. The bitch was flame retardant, she had to be, because Deonne had been shooting hot ones at her for the better part of an hour.

God, I have to get over this. I'm here because he loves me, he wants me, not her, she thought.

Remembering exactly how he had demonstrated that over the last two weeks woke her pussy and made her squirm in her seat, but doubts still remained. She mocked, but didn't Kevin deserve a trophy? A successful, beautiful woman? One that wouldn't make waves in the family? One that was more mature than she was? More sophisticated? A complement to whatever career Kevin chose?

"So, Shawntee," Deonne decided it was time to act civil, pretend to be an adult. "Do you enjoy practicing law in Atlanta?"

"Oh, I'm not practicing these days." Shawntee pulled her eyes from Kevin and the smile faded as she turned towards Deonne. "I'm back here now, running Representative Brown's campaign."

So, la-te-da! Deonne thought, any semblance of adulthood instantly fleeing. I'm sure next week they'll crown you Queen of the United States. She just hoped it was a smile on her face and not a smirk. Kevin was looking at her in an odd way and she knew her facetious thoughts weren't as hidden as she hoped. Attempting to straighten her expression she tried again.

"Really? How exciting!"

"It would be, but he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning!" She glanced at Kevin, "But I was just telling Kevin that he should consider getting out of the Army and into politics. He'd be a perfect candidate." She smiled up at him, continuing to push her case.

Kevin was shaking his head and a smile touched his lips. "No way. I'm a lifer."

"C'mon," Shawntee chided. "You'd be perfect. Don't you think so, Deonne? Brains, looks, military service." She looked at Deonne expectantly.

Deonne looked thoughtfully over Kevin with new eyes, she realized he would make the perfect candidate. And perfect for the lovely Shawntee. 

"Political land-mines are a lot safer than real ones," she continued to encourage.

"And I'm sure you'd make the perfect campaign manager for him? And, better yet, the perfect candidate's wife?" Deonne snapped.

Kevin and Shawntee looked at Deonne with stunned expressions and she decided it was time to go elsewhere before her mouth got her in more trouble. Standing, she turned and saw Ruth Banning carrying a large bowl of potato salad.

"Here! Let me help you with that Mrs. Banning." Deonne fairly grabbed the bowl from her.

"Thank you dear. Didn't we talk about this 'Mrs. Banning' business before? My name's Ruth."

"Okay, Ruth." She smiled at the woman. "What else can I bring out or help with?"

Soon she was shuffling back and forth between the kitchen and patio carrying over-sized bowls and platters. Deonne was sure there was enough food to feed both Kevin's extended family and hers, then most of the population of California. These people might live on the West Coast, but they brought their sense of food with them from the South.

Turning she found herself blocked by a wall of handsome chest. Stopping her movement by holding onto the bowl, Kevin waited for her attention to move to his face.

"You're jealous." 

"No, I'm not." His eyebrows shot up and humor lit his face.

"Yeah, you are. It's kinda cute on ya, babe."

Deonne glowered at him before turning away.

"You know you don't have anything to worry about, right?"

She looked up and Kevin saw that flicker of doubt come and go. The same one she'd been giving him since he came back. Would she ever trust him? 

She wanted to pretend she hadn't a clue what he was talking about, but shame had her flitting her eyes around, avoiding his.

Licking her lips, she focused on his chest. "She wants you."

"No, she doesn't, but who gives a shit?" He waited a moment and when no reply came, he pulled the bowl from her hands and sat it on the counter. His Aunt Juanice grabbed it. Women scurried around them, orchestrated chaos buzzed. Deonne and Kev stood as an ignored island in the midst of it all.

"Look at me."

Deonne swallowed and met his eyes.

"Take out my wallet."

Deonne gave him a puzzled look.

"Do it."

Reaching around she tugged out the folded black leather, warm from his body.

"Open it up." He waited for her to comply. "Who do you see?"

"Me." She stared at the frayed and creased photo of herself taken on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. It was a close-up he'd taken when she was talking and laughing, having just gotten cotton candy on her cheek. She had no idea why he'd picked this crazy photo of her to tote around.

"And when I came last night, where was my cock?" 

Deonne eyes darted around hoping nobody heard him. Had he lost his mind? The memory of that cock stretching her, the leather of his parents car seat sticking to her back, flashed through her mind. That trip to the grocery for his mom had turned into a delicious quickie trip.

"Answer me, babe."

"In me."

"That's right. My hands were on your ass and my eyes were on your face."

Moving closer, he dug his fingers into those rich, wavy tresses he loved so much and brought his mouth down to hers. Thick dark lips brushed against pink ones, velvet soft. The small tip of her tongue flicked out, putting a dot of moisture on his lower lip and just like that a small kiss, one intended to merely show love and concern, flared into desire. Hot, fast licks and deep thrusts came fast and his hands pulled her tight. Her trapped fingers fisted his shirt into knots. Wetness seeped between her lower lips. She could take him deep already. That's just the way it was with him. She was a powerful sex switch he could turn on immediately with just a look, a touch, or even a word.

"Hey Kev," his cousin Jamal interrupted from the door, a smile splitting his face. "Everyone's waiting."

Looking around in mortification she noticed they were alone in the kitchen, even Jamal had disappeared. She pulled away to leave when he tugged her back.

His eyes were full of sex, and his hand came around and cupped her breast.

"I got a little distracted, I'm not done. Where'm I gonna come tonight?" He nuzzled her neck.

"Tissue?" she giggled, and he grinned.

"Oh no, babe. Try again." He squeezed his handful.

"In me."

"It's the only place I'm interested in, and yours is the only face I want to see. I love you Deonne. Just you." There was no humor in his eyes now.

"Does this mean I can't hate Shawntee?"

"No. You can't hate Shawntee." Now he smiled. "Give her a chance, she's nice."

Her eyebrows shot up as she recalled those elegant perfectly manicured fingers draped over his arm. Right!

Kevin and Deonne returned to the deck to find everyone gathered in the large traditional prayer circle, holding hands, as was his family's custom. Deonne awkwardly slipped one hand into Uncle Clint's and the other in Kevin's. His family were devout church-goers, bringing more than their nutritional heritage from the South. Deonne could not remember a time her family had ever prayed over a meal, and church was strictly reserved for weddings.

Tradition had it that ladies filled their plates from the buffet line first and Deonne sat staring at her over-sized and over-loaded plate. Dear lord, how was she going to eat it all and not offend any of the dozen cooks arrayed around her? Her fate had been sealed when she managed to go through the line between Kevin's Aunt Juanice and Aunt Cheryl, who considered it their duty before God to make sure the little white girl from Ohio did not leave hungry. Each had assisted, against Deonne's weak protests, with filling her plate, and Deonne had nearly required a U-Haul to get it to the table.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Deonne closed her eyes and stifled a groan.

"Not at all, Shawntee." Deonne smiled her sweetest smile as the woman slid her perfectly manicured perfect body onto the chair next to her. Glancing at The Trophy's plate, she stopped another groan. Of course. Somehow securing a smaller plate, half was filled with salad, no dressing, naturally, and a quarter was occupied with a handful of fresh fruit. A thin sliver of meat graced the final quarter. Perfect.

Shawntee read the look on Deonne's face and giggled.

"You know you don't have to eat all that, right? I saw them over there loading you up. They mean well, but both of 'em are used to filling up linebackers, and," she shot a wry glance towards the far end of the table where the aunts were engaged in boisterous conversation, then lowered her voice, "they both could use to some portion control themselves." Shawntee gave her a warm smile, and Deonne felt her shoulders sag a little. This girl wanted her boyfriend and here she was starting to like her.

"I'm glad he has you."

Deonne's head jerked up, confused.

"James, love."

"What?"

"I love James. I have for years."

Deonne continued to look at her in shock.

"I'm just tellin' ya so you can stop worrying."

"Are you a mindreader?" 

"Girl! It didn't take a mindreader to know what you were thinking!"

"Was I that bad? Wait! Don't answer. I was."

Deonne considered the beautiful woman beside her with new eyes.

"Are you the only one who knows you love James?"

Before she could answer, Kevin slid in next to Deonne, cutting in on the conversation.

"Babe. Why didn't you tell me you ain't been gettin' enough to eat?" Kevin feigned shock at her plate. "You need some more, you just take some off my plate, okay?"

Deonne rolled her eyes and Shawntee laughed. 

Darkness fell, the food satiated, and the conversation and laughter escalated in the warm night. The light scent of smoked meat from the grill hung in the stillness. Candles were lit, and iced tea and beer flowed into the night. As the children started tiring, parents were pressed to leave, and soon after the older folks were saying their good-byes, being sure to seek Kevin out with parting hugs and pats on the back.

The next morning Deonne woke early, and lay unable to sleep. Finally giving up, she decided to head to the kitchen and see if she could beat Mr. Banning in making early coffee. Twenty-seven years of army life had built a solid early morning routine.

However, upon entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see Ruth Banning had beat her to the coffee pot. 

"Yeah. Two nights of party prep and partying seems to have done ol' Tom in, he tends that smoker like it was a newborn. Grab yourself a cup and join me."

Sitting beside the older woman, Deonne stirred the milky coffee. Kevin always teased her, saying she liked a little coffee with her milk. One day she'd fired back that the only thing she liked hot and black was him. That had led to a very nice little sampling of hot, black things.

Ruth cut into her thoughts. "You know me, Deonne, I just say what I think, so if I offend you, just tell me to shut up and mind my own business." The Mona Lisa smile dropped from Deonne's face. Oh, no, she thought.

"Why did you tell Kevin no? You know my boy's crazy about you, and you sure put on a good impression of lovin' him."

Deonne gave a short shake of her head, a look hovering somewhere between worry and confusion and embarrassment on her face.

"I don't know. I thought I would say yes. I mean, all that time he was gone, it was all I could think about: us getting together, us having a life. I put it all on the line and gave up so much just for that one gamble. Then all of a sudden he asked and I didn't expect it. I wasn't ready. We've known each other all this time, but we've never really ever been around each other. We'd been apart for over a year, and a lot had changed. What if, after he's around me all the time, I drive him nuts? What if he realizes I'm not who he thinks I am? I don't want to say yes and lock him into something he'll regret."

"You don't seem to have had a personality transplant, honey." Kevin's mother smiled at her. "And I know that hard-headed son of mine hasn't changed much, except maybe to have sorted himself out a little. Camping out on a rocky mountainside for a year not knowing what tomorrow's gonna bring and realizing you threw away the best thing in your life might do that to the most stubborn of men. My son isn't perfect, but Deonne, he loves you something crazy. You've been under that boy's skin since college. Ain't nothin' changin' there."




Ready Ch. 08



Ruth Banning leaned back and regarded Deonne with a shrewd look before rising and pulling two frying pans out of the cupboard.

"You are good enough for him, you know?" she went on with her back to Deonne, allowing the girl to take the shock of the statement without facing her.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know." She said the words, but even she could hear the doubt, the lack of conviction. "But sometimes . . ." her voice trailed off and she looked into the middle distance.

Ruth turned to Deonne from opening the refrigerator door and looked with intent at Deonne, the ignored door shutting on it's own.

"I don't know how a girl as successful as you can be so insecure." She turned back to the fridge and retrieved bacon, sausage and eggs. "Here's the thing: you don't get to pick. Shoot! Even Kevin don't get to pick! He just loves who he loves. He just happens to love you. Now, if I had my druthers, I'd get to pick who my boys love. We momma's are like that. But he made a pretty good choice even if he didn't use my help." She looked over her shoulder and smiled before grabbing a bowl from the cabinet. "Now, if James would just wake up and see what's staring him in the face, I'd be able to get on with being a grandma before I die! Sometimes I--"

"Sometimes you what?" Kevin asked from the doorway before coming behind Deonne. He leaned down to wrap his arms around her, planting a small kiss on top of her head.

"Sometimes you have the worst timing!"

"What? You want me to leave?"

"Never!" Reaching over her head, Deonne locked her hands on his head and twisting pulled him down for a kiss.

"Mm . . . milky coffee," he murmured against her lips before standing. "Momma, you don't have to cook us breakfast before we go!"

Ruth Banning turned to her son and gave him a look that said without words she was sure he had absolutely lost his mind.

"Of course, I'm gonna cook my son breakfast before he leaves me and goes and tries to get hisself ke-eled again! What else a momma s'posed to do? This world don't give us momma's any other options once our fool son's grow up. Now! Sit yourself down there and act respectful, like your brother does!"

Kevin found his seat and his mother turned back to the stove, but she wasn't done with him yet.

"You always did your own thing, acting the fool, never listenin' to a thing I said, just a trouble-maker. If it makes me happy to cook you some food, I'm gonna cook you some food."

Kevin rolled his eyes, and Deonne grinned. Who else could dress down Captain Banning and get away with it?

"Yes, Momma." 

The trip to the airport was uneventful, if somewhat depressing. Mr. and Mrs. Banning both insisted on taking them, and they were cruising along in Mr. Banning's Cadillac. Deonne always felt like she was floating in a bubble when riding in huge American luxury cars. It suited Tom Banning, though, to a 'T' and was his pride and joy, his baby. As a matter of fact, he even named it Baby. After the test spin she and Kevin had given it the other evening Deonne herself was starting to be a convert. With this bad-boy, you would never have to race home again if the jungle fever overcame you. She rubbed her hand on the soft, leather-encased cushion and smiled up at Kevin.

"Maybe you should trade in your truck for one of these."

Kevin grinned, fully understanding her meaning.

"I don't know, trucks have their advantages, too."

"Yeah? I'm afraid I'll have to be convinced."

"I'll see what I can do."

At the airport, Mrs. Banning sent her off with a kiss on the cheek, a tight squeeze and a warning. "Remember, honey, you don't get to pick."

****

Life settled into a bit of a pattern for Deonne. She'd catch a swim in the morning, then teach on the base mid-day, come home, jog, shower and hope Kevin wouldn't be busy in the evening. She was determined to enjoy this life of leisure while it lasted. The fall session started the following week and with it, her new full-time position and seven hours of graduate courses.

As she walked out of the education building, the heat blasted against her. She was busy contemplating switching her afternoon run for another swim, when she looked up to see Kevin leaning against her little Honda.

One glance at his face told her it wasn't good. Lifting up, she kissed his cheek while giving him a questioning look.

"We deploy in forty-eight hours." He let that sink in before continuing. "I didn't want to tell you on the phone."

Deonne tried and failed to look like her world was not coming to an end.

"But you just got back!"

"You know how it is, Deonne. Listen, I don't have much time, I need to go home and grab a few things and tell the landlord." He watched her devastated face. "Babe . . . we talked about this, you know how it can be."

Deonne took a deep, shaky breath. "But I don't have to like it."

Dropping her bag, she leaned against him. The side of her face felt the rough, lumpy cotton of his uniform and the solid strength of his chest. Wrapping her arms tight around him, she held on until he made her look at him.

Placing both hands on either side of her face, he brushed a lock of hair back with his thumb.

"I need ya to understand something. I don't know what's going on in that nutty head of yours, but I love you Deonne. Just you, always you. Do you understand?"

She swallowed and nodded, and a lone tear slid down her cheek.

"So very much. So, when I come back, none of this waitin' shit, right?"

Nodding her head in short shakes, she wiped her eyes. Her Naval Academy training completely failed her. Again.

She tried to smile, it was a pathetic attempt. "I love you too, by the way. Just in case you're wondering."

"Oh, I know you do, babe."

"Oh, yeah? I did say no after all." She gave him a smart-aleck look, her irrepressible spirit making a valiant, though brief, showing.

"Sweetheart, no common-sense Midwestern girl throws away her life and career to move clear across country for an occasional fuck. No matter how exceptional that dumb fuck is." His dimple creased his cheek and Deonne touched her finger to it.

Holding her close, he kissed her one final time. 

"I gotta go." Pulling her off him, he turned towards his truck and strode away. 

Leaning against her blistering hot car, she refused to crumple to the ground, refused to let him see her body give in to the wailing that was going on inside. Common-sense Midwestern girls didn't do that. No, they waited until black trucks turned the corner, then they got in their practical white cars and sobbed their way across town; cried their way through a bottle of chardonnay; then shrieked into their soggy pillows long into the night.

Midwestern girls were just tough like that.

****

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who was so patient, and for all the encouraging feedback. It means more than you can imagine. You know how to encourage this slow writer: vote! AS, and OR and Indiana, thanks is inadequate for the editing help and the lessons.