Page 26 of Knot Yours

He tips my head against his chest, and his lips go to my neck. Still, Austin keeps thrusting until he growls through his release, pumping into me erratically. With one last plunge, Austin’s body slumps, dropping into one of my dining room chairs. The move dislodges him from inside me, and he spins me around, plastering me to his chest.

Half-lidded eyes rake over my flushed chest, and Austin takes my face into his hands. Breathing hard, he whispers, “You blow me away, Olowa. I thought I’d never feel this way again.”

“I thought I’d never feel this way at all,” I reply.

Austin kisses me tenderly and picks me up, carrying me to my bed. He takes me again, slowly this time, rocking his hips against mine while he kisses my face. When we’re both spent, he rolls to his back, gathering me to him.

“Tell me more about you,” he breathes.

“What do you want to know?”

Austin drags his fingers down my neck, making me shiver. “Anything you wish to tell me.”

I tell him about my brother, the tricks we used to play, about dancing, and my brother’s fight that ended his life. Then I tell him about the promise I made that ended my dancing future.

“I understand why you did what you did, but I imagine your brother would wish, above anything, that you be happy.”

Water under the bridge. Wanting to change the subject, I ask, “What was it like in the military? Why did you leave it?”

Austin sighs, and his heartbreaking story about the young soldier helps me understand the man so much better. “Now, tell me about your family in Montana.”

“My parents have been married for forty-three years and have lived in the same house that whole time. My mom is one of the town’s most respected women, a busybody, and one hell of a cook.”

“Like Aunt Bee?”

“Who?” he chuckles.

“Aunt Bee from Mayberry.”

Austin laughs. “You’re too young to know anything about Mayberry.”

I roll my eyes. “Am not. I watched reruns growing up. I wanted that kind of life. Simple. Safe.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Yes, she’s a lot like Aunt Bee.”

“And your father?”

“He’s more like Barney.”

For that, I smack him on the chest. “I don’t believe you.”

Austin grabs that hand and pulls it to his mouth. After kissing my palm, he says, “My father is a good man. He works hard and loves my mother and his sons. Though he wanted my brother and I to take over the ranch one day, he didn’t fault me for joining the service. The medals I earned are proudly displayed on his mantel. My brother is a lot like Sheriff Taylor. He’s good as gold, smart, and a bit of an asshole prankster when the mood strikes him.”

“They sound wonderful,” I tell him.

“They are. What was it like growing up in one of the most beautiful places on earth?”

Enacting my best snooty impression, I answer, “Dinner parties, fancy clothes, the best of everything.”

“And you were miserable,” Austin counters, snickering.

I shrug, not meeting his eyes. “My family loved each other, but I grew up in a gilded cage. We were targets for rivals and untouchable for everyone else. I never had any friends until I went to USC. That only lasted a year until I transferred to VCU in Richmond. Then my mom was killed, and friends and fun didn’t matter anymore. Until now.”

I lift my head from Austin’s chest. “That’s enough of that now. I want to cook for you. You should check on Piper. Better yet, you should let her in.”

“In here?” Austin asks, shocked.

“Yes. She should be comfortable in my space. Is that okay?”

---