Chapter Twenty-eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Logan

“How’s Danielle doing?” Owen asks, moving an empty casserole dish from the counter to the sink. We’re at her house, and the service for her grandpa just ended. A few people are still at the house, sharing stories and memories. Her grandpa was respected by the town, and we are all feeling his loss. I think half the town turned up today, bringing flowers and food and giving their condolences. That’s the thing with small towns. When you know most everyone, you care for most everyone.

“She’s trying to keep it together.” I open the fridge, trying to find a place to put the bowl of taco salad someone brought. It won’t fit, and I’m pretty sure the extra fridge in the basement is full already too.

The last few days passed in a blur. Danielle cried, slept, and drank a lot, and then when the rest of her family came into town, the time was spent reflecting on her grandpa’s life and looking through scrapbooks. Now everything is over, and people are leaving.

Stacking the bowl of taco salad on top of another casserole, I go down into the basement to try and make things fit. It takes a bit of rearranging, but I get the two dishes put in. Danielle is on the back porch, and I’m about to go out with her when I see her father sitting on a chair next to her.

The windows are open, letting in the warm breeze.

“Have you thought more about my offer?” I hear her father say, making me pause. “We could really use someone with your business savvy.”

“I…I don’t know,” Danielle tells him, and my heart falls to the floor. “It would just be temporary?”

“Yes, unless you decide to stay. There is a chance Sandra won’t want to come back. She says she plans on it now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she stayed home for the next year.”

Danielle lets out a breath and wipes her eyes. “I don’t know,” she repeats. “The house is going to feel so empty after everyone leaves.”

I tear myself away, not wanting to eavesdrop anymore. If leaving is what Danielle needs to do…fuck. I don’t know.

“You okay?” Owen asks when I come back onto the kitchen. “I mean, besides the obvious. You seem…you seem different.”

“I’m tired,” I tell him, which is true. I’ve never been able to lie to Owen. It feels wrong, and he’s just able to sense the truth, much like I can with him.

“Take Danielle upstairs, rock her world again, and then pass out.”

“I don’t think she’s in the mood for that.”

Owen knows we got together but hasn’t pressed me to take things further because of everything else that happened. It’s not the right time to sit down and talk about relationships. Danielle is dealing with enough. I’ve waited for her this long, giving her the time she needs.

Wanting her to stay…telling her that it will kill me if she leaves…it feels selfish.

*

“Thanks.” Danielle takes the cup of coffee from me as I sit on the steps of the front porch next to her. Everyone has left, including her parents and sister. The sun set not long ago, and it’s just the two of us here at the house.

She takes a sip of coffee and sets the cup on the porch next to her and rests her head on my shoulder. I slip my arm around her waist, and Danielle twists, pressing her forehead against mine. Tears well in her eyes, spilling down when I kiss her.

Desperation hits us both at the same time, and the moment our lips connect, Danielle moves closer, straddling me right here on the porch. She’s wearing a black dress, and I pull it up to her waist. Spreading her legs, she rocks her hips over mine and then brings her hands down to undo my pants. She scrambles to remove my pants, and I slip my hand under her dress, pulling her panties down. I stroke her clit before she climbs back on, guiding my cock to her core.

She slowly lowers herself onto me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I put my lips to her neck, kissing and sucking at her skin as she rocks herself up and down. Pressing herself down, she arches her back, digging her fingers into my flesh. A car drives down the road, and we both freeze.

The house is set back and it’s dark out. But the porch lights are on, and the front yard is flat and mowed.

“Should we go inside?” Danielle asks, moving her pelvis in a slow circle that feels so fucking amazing.

“Yeah,” I grunt, not wanting to stop. Danielle and I break apart and stand, but only make it a few steps before we fall back together again. I grab her around the waist and spin her around so her ass is pressed against my cock. She grips the porch railing, bending over so I can enter her.

Reaching around, I work her clit as I thrust in and out of her tight pussy. She tosses her head back, moaning as she comes. The second her pussy contracts around my cock, I come as well, moving my hand from between her legs to her stomach.

It’s the first time we’ve had sex since Hawaii, and while everything came on fast, borne out of desperation of needing to be close, it didn’t disappoint. There will never be another woman in this world who turns me on as much as Danielle.

I kiss her neck and pull out, shuffling back and trying not to trip over my pants which are around my ankles.

“Next time we’ll go on the back porch,” I say as Danielle spins around in my arms.

“I like the sound of that plan.”

I kiss her forehead, and we go inside with the intention of showering together, but then Danielle remembers she has to bring the horses in from the pasture and feed all the other animals.

She changes into leggings and a t-shirt, and I go out with her.

“I took care of the horses a lot,” she says, sliding the big barn door open. “I like them. But it suddenly feels like Grandpa did everything.”

I put my arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head as we walk. “He did a lot.”

“It’s overwhelming,” she admits. “I don’t know how I’m going to take care of everything on my own.”

“You won’t have to on your own. I’ll help. Hell, we can even get Owen over here cleaning stalls.”

Danielle smiles up at me, eyes watery again. “Thanks. I’ll figure out a routine eventually. Though I guess this means I’m going to have to start getting up early. I am not a morning person.”

“I know. I don’t think anyone really is. Those who say they are, are lying. Just like people who say they like running.”

“You like working out.” She gives me a pointed look.

“That’s different. And I do.”

We get the animals taken care of and go inside, showering this time. Danielle grabs a bottle of cheap red wine that someone brought over, along with a tray of cookies. We sit on the couch and find something funny to watch. Danielle pours two big glasses of wine and settles in my arms, saying she just wants to watch TV and not think about anything for a while.

By the time the movie ends, we’re both lying down and half-asleep. I turn the TV off and spoon my body around Danielle’s. She hasn’t been sleeping well lately, and I know she’s tired. I run my fingers through her hair until she falls asleep.

I’m hot under the blanket with her, and there’s a lump in the couch that’s pressing against my spine. I’m uncomfortable, but I don’t even think about moving. Because lying here with Danielle is the only place I want to be.