Page 7 of Just in January

“Fine. I’ll teach you stuff. But if you ever want to stop, you tell me. And this is the best fucking breakfast I ever had.” Looking at his plate, he lifts his eyes and the corners of his lips jerk up into a tiny smile. “Bothof them.”

Four

JUSTIN

When we work on the dishes together, she dances and sings some Christmas song, though the holiday has passed. My lips tighten to contain the smile it brings me, but I swat her ass with the drying towel and she yelps, then playfully punches me in the arm.

“You okay working down here? I’m about finished upstairs, but still need to do some carpentry trim in the rooms.”

Biting her lip, her cheeks blush as she gazes up at me with an affirmative nod. God, I’m getting hard again. I could take her, but she’s a virgin. And eighteen. This needs to be something more, and she needs to make a wiser decision. I don’t want to be that guy for her. One who took her and didn’t see her again after a month. That’s not me. I’m a one woman man.

Or I was.

Kimberley was the only woman I’d been with before I stuck my face in this little girl’s pussy. And part of me thinks Ishouldfeel guilty about that. But I’m more concerned with the fact I don’t. Not at all.

“See you, snowflake.”

“I’ll have dinner ready at six.”

Somehow, I have to make it until sunset to gaze upon her beautiful face again. I plug my earbuds in and put on another boring book to keep my mind occupied while I finish with the upstairs. Occasionally, scents of pine and vinegar, cedar, and lavender waft up to my nose. Then, the glorious smell of something delicious.

When I head to the staircase, I pause. The living room is gleaming. Better than I’ve seen it, maybe ever. Floors shine under the lamplight, and a roaring fire blazes in the stone fireplace. Even the furniture looks fresh. Old and worn, but clean.

The dining room, front entry, and hall are all of similar quality. She seems to have gotten old traffic stains out of the entry rug. With her touches upstairs, things should be ready to go by the end of the month.

Sliding my screwdriver into my tool belt, I head into the kitchen, where a large pot pie sits in the middle of the table. The kitchen is another sight to behold. Perfectly polished countertops and floor. Fake flowers sit in an old vase, adding to the ambiance. She must have found them in a closet.

As if she’s a game show host, she spreads her arms wide and flashes a broad smile, which makes me light up inside as warm as the flames from the fire in the living room. “What do you think?”

“I’m really fucking impressed. You’re a hard worker. I guess I should give you a raise.” I furrow my brow while rubbing my beard. “I guess that was another thing we hadn’t discussed yet. Sit. Eat.”

She wiggles her hips as she does while I dish her out a bowl of the pot pie, then some for myself. Waving my fork in her face, I tell her, “How much did Jake say I’d pay you?”

“Um, he said three thousand for the month, and that included room and boarding. I couldn’t afford to stay anywhere else, and that seemed good to me.” Her lips purse to blow on her bite, and I tilt my head to observe it. My cock jumps in my jeans.

“Bah. I’ll give you eight grand. That includes party preparation.” The savory flavors hit my palate, and I groan. “Fuck, this is good. Eat. You’re not eating.”

“Th-that’s a lot of money. Thank you.”

Shrugging, I scoop in another forkful. “You’re earning it. Keep up the hard work.” Her smile brightens up the room, and I’m so very curious to know her. Do I give in? It’s such a bad idea to get involved with her… “So a farm, huh? Back home?”

Between bites, she nods. “Yeah, my grandparents. I live in Verona with my parents and younger brother. But my parents are very busy with their careers, so they shipped us off to our grandparent’s farm a lot. It’s where I learned everything I know. This place reminds me of there.” Looking down, she takes a deep breath and drinks a sip of water. “There was a woman in a picture I found. She… You were married?”

Placing my fork on the table, I wipe my beard of the crust crumbs and give her face a once over. She’s eager to learn about me. And maybe for the first time in years, I’m ready to let someone.

“Yeah. Her name was Kimberley. She died about seven years ago. I left here to work on an oil rig, just to get my head on straight. My parents died about three years ago, and this place has been unused since. I have a younger brother, but he’s a lumberjack and away most of the time, like I was. He’s wanting to retire from it, though. Otherwise, it’s just been me on a boat.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She says it differently from other people. January means it. But it’s difficult to explain the hardships I endured throughout the year Kimberley died.

Clearing my throat, I cast the conversation off myself. “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”Please say no.

“Uh, I mean… No. My friend Winter is the closest person to me, but I don’t want to bother her on her honeymoon.”

My finger reaches out to brush a piece of pot pie from her cheek as a small chuckle escapes my chest. “The wedding was nice. It was just…difficultfor me. It was where I got married.”

Her lips part and I press the pad of my thumb to her bottom one. “Oh. That makes sense.”

“Suck this.” When I press further into her mouth, her tongue swirls the tip and makes my cock surge with blood. Pre-cum oozes from my dick and my free hand latches onto it over my jeans, begging myself not to spill and make another mess.

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