LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Twenty-Four

After dinner featuring a thousand questions about cows that Josh patiently answered, Kate listened for Caleb while he showered. She cleaned the kitchen and walked around the apartment to straighten.

Josh kept the conversation light and relaxed.

Tucking her little boy in was surreal. Josh leaned in the doorway while she read a chapter of their book.

About halfway through, Caleb looked over Kate's body where she was stretched out beside him and told Josh, "This is a good story. Mommy picks the best ones." Sitting up, he patted the end of his bed. "You can sit here and listen. You'll like it."

The big man perched on the edge of the twin bed and was still and quiet as Kate read. When she got to the end of the chapter, her son begged for another.

She obliged, smiling as her son drifted to sleep by the second page. Sitting up carefully, she got to her feet and pulled the blankets around Caleb's shoulders.

Kissing his head, she whispered, "I love you. Have good dreams." Marking their page, she quietly picked up a few things in the room. As she turned off the lamp, a pale green night light glowed toward the floor.

In the hallway, she pulled the door partially closed and explained, "The nightlight is for me. I hate leaving him in a completely dark room. In case he wakes up."

"You're a wonderful mother."

"I try to be. It's important to both of us. I was lucky. I had really good examples of parenting."

"It shows."

Kate answered sincerely, "Thank you. That means a lot." She led him into the living room. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Water would be great." She poured them glasses from the filtration pitcher in the fridge and he tapped his to hers. "I'd like to sleep on your couch tonight if that's alright."

"We'll be fine."

"I'd like to witness that you are personally."

"Alright."

She gathered linens and extra pillows as she'd done for her brother the night before and made up the longest end of her sectional.

Removing his boots, wallet, and keys, Josh stretched out with a smile. One arm was bent behind his head. "It's like you knew a normal couch wouldn't be long enough for me."

Kate sat beside him, her hip against his ribcage, her palm on his chest. "You don't have to do this, Josh."

"You're wrong, Kate. I do." With his free hand, he lifted hers and kissed the back. "I moved my truck next to your car. Right in front of your door. I won't go looking for a fight but I won't let your ex continue terrorizing you either. We move at our pace but he can't be allowed to scare you."

"Kyle is coming to pick Caleb up at six for the Boy Scout retreat. He told Brian he's going with them."

"Everything already packed?" Kate arched her brow and he laughed. "Question withdrawn. After they leave, I need to head over to my place to check the cows." She nodded and leaned down to kiss him. Against her lips, he said, "Say you'll let me wine and dine you in Tulsa tonight."

"Yes." Lifting slightly, she stared into his eyes as she rubbed her palm over his chest. Moving under his t-shirt, she flattened her hand on the warm skin of his abdomen. His body immediately tensed at her touch and she liked the way it made her feel. "Josh?"

"Mm hmm?"

"I'd like to touch you...and I want you to let me do that without reciprocation. Is that alright with you?"

"I...yes."

She didn't look away from his face as she used one hand to unbuckle his belt and separate his jeans. Sliding over his skin beneath the band of his underwear, she settled over the ridge of his cock. He released a strangled moan.

"Fully hard, silken skin, lovely size that won't require excessive preparation, and hot as a furnace. Outstanding function is assumed but I'll wait for confirmation."

His mouth opened and closed but there was no sound. She slipped her palm up and down the length before moving lower and cupping his ball sac. Josh inhaled so sharply, she wondered if it hurt him.

"Full and tight. Aching for release I think." Returning to his cock, she curled her fingers around it. She bent to kiss him before whispering against his lips, "Pull your shirt up."

Moving his arm from behind his head, he did as instructed. He wrapped his other arm around her torso but made no move to touch her intimately.

Maintaining eye contact, she stroked him slowly. "I find that men often underestimate women. I don't want you to do that with me, Josh."

He murmured, "No..."

"I want you to see me as a woman - separate in my own right - with needs and wants equal to yours."

"I do, Kate." His voice was breathless as his hips rocked slightly in rhythm with her strokes.

"It's important to me, especially now, that you understand that my worry, fear, or current situation do not define me. They don't dictate who I am or what I want. They're temporary feelings in a normally very solid life."

"I know that about you. Oh my god..."

"I'm not weak or shy. I don't fear men. I enjoy sex."

"Good," he moaned. "That's good."

"I want you to know the piece of me that's been quiet, almost in hiding, but that has always existed."

Gasping, Josh managed, "I like everything about you. Fucking everything."

"I like everything about you, too. What I want - right now - is for you to come for me. I want to see it. I want to know I made it happen."

Josh's arm tightened around her and his entire body shuddered as he released his control and come splattered his belly. "Kate, fuck..."

Stripping her t-shirt over her head, she used it to wipe his skin clean. "I needed to feel that power again." Leaning down, she kissed him deeply and he held her tighter than he probably intended. "Thank you, Josh."

"I-I think I'm the one who should be thanking you."

She laughed softly. Delivering one more kiss, she stood and pulled the blanket up his body. "Get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow."

As she turned, he sat up and wrapped his arms around her hips. He rested his stubbled cheek on her bare stomach. "I've never been a selfish lover, Kate. I'll thank you properly the moment you give me the chance."

"You have no idea how much I look forward to that." She lifted his face with her fingers beneath his chin. "I've been getting off on fantasizing about you for months. Tonight promises more of the same." He released a low moan. Raking her fingers through his hair, she added, "See you in the morning."

Josh laid down and she could feel him watching her as she crossed the living room and disappeared down the hall.

For the first time in a very long time, Kate felt like herself again. 

Confident, strong, desirable.

She was going to need more of that.

© Shayne McClendon