Her Gentle Giant: No Regrets (18 page)

Eli ran along the cold white-tiled hallway in his fuzzy blue slipper socks.

The cast on his left arm bumped against his sore ribs. Tears flooded his eyes
as he sobbed quietly and stopped running, momentarily disoriented. The
nurse’s station was ahead of him, and he knew if he went that direction the
sweet nurses would see him and return him to his room. He needed to find
the little church where he could feel better and chase away the nightmares.

The bandage over his right eye was damp from his tears and had started to
come loose. He wanted to pull it off, but his eye hurt, and the nurses told
him to not pull it off or he might hurt himself worse. They were so sweet and
doing their best to help him feel better. He didn’t want to upset them, so he
left it alone and tried to ignore the sodden feel of it.

He turned back on silent feet and padded back down the hall, took a left
turn, and found the familiar room. He’d missed it earlier because of his cry-baby tears. He silently pushed open the door because there might be
someone in here and he didn’t want to be seen. Someone sat hunched over a
pew in the front, a man. He silently dropped down to his hands and knees
and crawled along the back wall, keeping away from the quietly sobbing
man. He crept to the darkened back corner and curled up in a pew. There
was a Bible sitting on the seat, and he placed his hand under his cheek and
rested his head on it, waiting for the man to leave. He listened as the man
sobbed softly and thought he sounded like his heart was broken. Maybe he
had bad dreams, too.

He prayed to God and asked him to help Mom feel better so they could
go on to Grandma and Grandpa’s. He asked God if she was hurting to fix
her or heal her and make her feel better. He woke in a daze as soft hands
smoothed his hair and touched his cheek. He looked up into deep blue eyes
and
knew
he was dreaming again. “You can’t stay here, Eli. Come with me
so you can rest.” Gentle arms picked him up, and he was lovingly carried
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back to his room, tears spilling from his eyes. Soft lips touched his cheeks,
kissing the tears away. A gentle hand feathered in his hair, speaking words
of comfort to him.

Eli slowly awakened, clasped snugly in Rachel’s arms, his cheek against the gentle swell of her breasts, which were damp. His chest ached, and he realized he’d had that familiar dream again. It was not unusual to wake from the vivid dream crying, and he prepared for the gut-wrenching heartache that came when he relived that loss. She pulled his hair back from his face and wiped the tears from his cheeks. The pain was still there, but he felt comforted this time, just as he had in his dream. He felt the loss, but he no longer felt like he was alone in his grief.

He rested his cheek against her shoulder for a moment before sitting up in the bed. It was already daylight outside, and the clock on the night table read nine o’clock.

“Wow, we slept hard,” he murmured, sitting up and wiping his eyes with the heels of his hands. She gathered the sheet around her and straddled his thighs. Her eyes were full of concern for him. She brushed her fingertips over his jaw then leaned forward to hug him.

“Eli, you were dreaming. You cried as if you were in pain. Are you all right?” she asked as she looked deeply into his eyes.

“Yes, it’s a recurring nightmare. I don’t have it very often anymore, but when I do, it hits me hard. It’s very vivid.” He tried to smile for her.

“I didn’t know what else to do, so I woke you up.” She tenderly stroked his big shoulders.

“Thank you.” He was grateful she woke him so he didn’t have to relive the whole experience.

“Want to sleep some more?”

“No, you?” He nuzzled her throat and squeezed her curvy hips through the sheet.

“I’m good. Are you hungry?” She wrapped the sheet over her breasts.

“Starving. Did you still want to take a ride with me?”

“Of course!” she responded enthusiastically.

He grinned wickedly. “Then we’d better get out of this bed before I take you on a different sort of ride. Are you sore from last night?”

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“I feel fine. A tiny bit tender maybe, but I feel wonderful, and I’m sure the shower will help. Do you want to talk about the dream?” she asked, looking into his eyes again, not with pity but with obvious concern for him.

He shook his head reluctantly. “Still too fresh. Maybe later, okay?”

Changing the subject, he grinned devilishly as he reached for her. “Right now, you’d better either climb off or climb on.”

She giggled and shimmied backward. “Nuh-uh! I need a shower! You can’t possibly want me first thing in the morning, all sleep crusted and morning breath-y.”

“Baby, I’ll take you any way I can catch you first thing in the morning.”

He reached out like he was going to grab her and pull her back under him.

She squealed loudly and stripped the sheet from the bed as she raced for the bathroom, giggling loudly.

The doorbell rang, and he let Kelly and Matthew in. His sister had considerately brought Rachel a change of clothing with her. He hugged Kelly and patted little Matthew’s back then took the clothing from her and went back to the bedroom. Rachel had just slipped back in, dressed in his bathrobe.

“Here are your clothes, babe.” Eli caught her around the waist.

“Although I like how my robe looks on you,” he murmured as he pushed the bedroom door closed softly. She smiled invitingly up at him, letting the front of the robe go to reach out to him. He slid his hands smoothly inside the robe, around her waist, and nuzzled her throat as she pressed against him.

“Mmm, you smell good. Feel better?”

“Cleaner, yes.” She sighed happily as he stroked her derriere and pressed her against his semi-erect cock.

“Wanna get messy again?” he asked playfully, growling as he nibbled her throat.

“Don’t you have company?”

“Yes, dammit.” He smacked her behind lightly. “Why don’t you get ready and I’ll take my favorite girls and nephew to brunch?”

“Sounds great! Give me a few minutes.”

Eli took them to brunch at Rudy’s and had fun talking with the girls and held little Matthew while Kelly ate.

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Eli took a closer look at his sister. “You look tired, sis. Was the baby fussy last night?

“Did you not sleep well?” Rachel asked. “Was the mattress not comfortable?”

Eli thought he recognized the devious little smirk on Kelly’s face. “Oh, yes, when I was
allowed
to sleep.” She cooed at Matthew, giving Eli a significant look, which Rachel totally missed as she took a bite of eggs.
Oh,
shit.
Eli felt his cheeks grow warm with embarrassment as he looked in Kelly’s eyes and shook his head, asking her silently to not say anything else.

Kelly grinned devilishly. “Yep, a little black-haired angel kept me awake last night. Just when I thought he’d settle down and let me rest, he’d start back up again with his hollering and wailing. Frankly, he was so loud I was afraid you might even hear him next door. But I did eventually get to sleep. He was right back at it this morning.” In a short fit of giggles, she actually snorted.

My sister knows what I sound like when I get a blowjob.

Crap. Eli’s mortification was complete. Not only had Kelly
heard
them, she could make out the endearment Eli used for Rachel. Kelly smiled innocently at Eli. “Is it hot in here to you, Eli? You look a little flushed.”

Eli cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah, maybe so.”

“So was your last neighbor an elderly person, Eli?” Kelly asked naughtily.

Eli groaned quietly and allowed her to have fun at his expense. “Yeah, he was. His children had to move him into a nursing home.”

“Was he in ill health?” she asked, the picture of concern.

“They worried about his safety. He was…hard of hearing.” Eli gave her a look that promised retribution as she snickered. Rachel looked at them quizzically.

“Am I missing something here?”

Attentively, Eli replied, “No, honey, how’s your breakfast?”

“It’s good. So what were your plans for today, Kelly?”

“I’m headed over to Charity and Justin’s in a few minutes. They haven’t seen the baby yet, and it’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen their kids. What are you going to do today?”

“Eli is going to take me on a ride out to the lake.”

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“How romantic,” Kelly said approvingly. “You’re so perfect together.

Did you know there’s a chance of rain this evening?”

Eli replied, “No, but thanks for letting me know. We’ll make sure and watch the skies. You’re full of all kinds of
helpful
information, aren’t you, sis?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yep, helpful me!” she said, smiling innocently. “Don’t wait on me for supper. I may stay and eat with them.”

* * * *

Rachel pulled her long hair back and braided it then allowed Eli to help her put her helmet on. She slipped her arms into his big leather riding jacket, which he insisted she should wear. He climbed on and started his Harley then held it steady while she climbed on behind him and got settled.

“You all right? Ready to go?” Through the small speaker inside the helmet he asked, “Hear me okay?”

“Yes, honey. I’m ready.” She scooted toward him and slid her arms around his waist and couldn’t resist rubbing her breasts against him playfully.

Eli chuckled and rubbed back. “Damn, do that as much as you want, angel. Hold on to me.” He turned the bike in the driveway and pulled out.

She pressed against him and held on tight. The vibration of the motorcycle traveled through every fiber of her body. She felt the throaty roar as he accelerated down the road and experienced a rush of adrenaline at the openness and freedom as the wind blew around them. He eased the bike at low speeds through town to get her used to being on a motorcycle and then rode out on the state highway that led out to Bowie Lake farther up in the hill country.

Rachel knew Eli took the ride easy for her sake, staying well within the speed limit. She also noted that he would occasionally rub his back against her breasts and figured he took the ride slow and easy for his own sake, as well. She made sure he enjoyed the extra few minutes of her snuggled up so close to his back as she held on around his waist. It was a perfect day.

They rode on the lake road that looped around the shoreline before they stopped at a rest area that was close to the water and perfect for taking a walk. He helped her off, and they strolled down to the shore. Holding hands,
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they walked along the water’s edge. She was very quiet, lost in thought as he stopped at a weathered log on the shore and took a seat. She sat down beside him and picked up a sun-bleached stick and began poking the rocks with it. The sunlight sparkled off the water as a breeze blew across it, and the water lapped at the shore.

She removed the elastic band from the end of her braid and slowly ran her fingers through the plait. She’d braided it at Eli’s suggestion because having long hair blowing about while riding on the back of a motorcycle was never a good idea. The wind would turn it into a knotted mess. She felt a little bereft for some reason. She attributed it to the Sunday afternoon blues and to being out of her usual routine. She didn’t care whether her laundry and oil change got done today or tomorrow, but she was a creature of habit, and finding a new rhythm with Eli had her a little off kilter.

“You okay, angel?” Eli looked over at her, and his pale gray eyes showed a little concern.

Rachel shrugged. “Yeah. The real world will encroach on us again tomorrow. I’ve gotten comfortable in our little bubble, and I wonder how we’ll work out seeing each other. I’m going to need to stay home tomorrow night and do the laundry. I need to finish settling in.”

He slid his arm around her reassuringly as he said, “Our schedules are a little mixed up, but if we give it time, we’ll find a new routine. We’ll find time to be together because I’m not letting you go.”

She smiled up at him and felt her cheeks grow warm. “Good. Thank you for understanding. How are you feeling?”

He smiled slowly, looked down at her, and she snuggled close beside him. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and slid the other under her knees and lifted her into his lap. When he did things like that, it made her feel less like an Amazon, and more petite and precious to him. “I’m feeling about as satisfied as a man can be.” He kissed her tenderly. Then he laid his ear against her chest and listened to her heart throb. “Your heart is pounding.”

Rachel chortled, and the blue feeling dissipated miraculously. “Of course it is, when you say things like that to me. I feel better already. I guess I was just down from the thought of having to go back out into the real world. This weekend has changed me.”

“For the better or worse?” he asked seriously.

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“The better, of course.” She smiled into his silver-gray eyes.

“The real world has been with us all along, I think. It’s just taking on a new form. I’m the same man I was Thursday night, maybe better for you being a part of my life now, but it’s still me, and you’re still the same beautiful woman you always were. All the other stuff will work itself out.”

“You’re right. I need to stop over-analyzing everything. Can I ask you about your dream? Do you feel like talking about it?” She didn’t want to push him any further but give him an opportunity if he wanted it.

“I lost my mom when I was four years old. In the dream I sort of relive the events that led up to her death. Her death was very hard for our family, and sometimes I think I’ll never be over it.”

“I’m so sorry, Eli. I didn’t mean to pry. I’m sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. Do you remember very much about her?”

“Yeah, I do have some great memories of her. I know she would have loved you.”

“Really?” Rachel was touched that he thought so. She didn’t ask him any more questions, and he didn’t offer any more information. They got up and walked farther down the shore then returned to the motorcycle.

Eli gazed off in the distance and said, “We’d better get back. I don’t want your first ride to include riding home soaked to the skin.

At home, he grilled steaks for the two of them while she prepared a salad and baked a couple of potatoes. While the steaks cooked, they laughed together and rearranged the patio furniture on the covered back deck so that everything was in the middle, even moving the grill to the center space between their backdoors. They traded keys so they could come and go as they needed to.

They ate outside, drinking from a bottle of red wine she’d picked up at the store along with a few groceries. They enjoyed the evening off and the chance to spend some more time alone. After cleaning up the mess, they went back over to his place, since Kelly would be staying until Tuesday morning, and watched a movie. It felt early to go to bed, but Rachel knew she’d be a zombie Monday morning if she didn’t, so she got up and took her shower while he made sure both places were locked up for the night and that Kelly had made it home all right

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She sighed happily when he joined her in the shower. She was awed by his immense size and masculine presence. “You are so incredibly handsome, Eli Wolf,” she murmured as she rinsed off under the spray.

“You are very beautiful, Rachel Lopez.” He leaned forward to kiss her.

“Want me to scrub your back?”

“I’d love that.” She handed him the body wash and washcloth. She lifted her clean wet hair over her shoulder and turned her back to him. He lathered the washcloth and gently scrubbed her back as she leaned against the shower tiles. “Mmm, that feels good. You’re giving me goose bumps.” She arched her back to tempt him to slide his hands over her ass and around her hips.

His hands were gentle, and she felt the telltale ache begin as her pussy engorged and tingled. He slid his hands over her hips to her abdomen and pulled her snug against him. His skin slithered against hers because of the soap. She sighed and bit her lip when his cock slid along the cleft of her ass.

His callused hands slid up her ribs to cup a full, round breast in each hand and squeezed them gently, which made her moan softly in pleasure. She lifted her hands to his shoulders, slid them up his neck, and pulled him to her for a kiss.

She turned to him. “Can I bathe you?”

At his nod, she reached for the soap and washcloth and worked it into a lather while he wet his hair. She smiled up at him and started at his shoulders. She scrubbed them gently then down each arm and over his wide chest. She let out a sigh of feminine appreciation as she admired his assets.

Her body was swamped with desire. But also mixed with it was a territoriality she would have been hard-pressed to explain. He was hers, all hers.

A little guilty for feeling that way about someone who was so strong and self-possessed, she glanced up at his face and saw a similar emotion in his eyes. Lust was there, too, unmistakably, but she also had the feeling he saw her as his,
all his
. She was good with that and smiled deviously at him as she slid the washcloth over his ribs and abdomen.

Instead of trailing farther south where he would have liked her to go, she slipped under his arm to his back and scrubbed it good and hard, just the way he liked it, judging by his groans of approval. He pulled his hair out of the way, and she scrubbed his shoulders and even under his arms.

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Slowly ran the washcloth over one of his ass cheeks, she knelt on the tiles beside him. Her fingers slithered through the suds along with the washcloth as she tended to one long, muscular leg, then the other. She bent over and scrubbed his feet as well. Rachel stood with his help and gazed up into his clear gray eyes as she stood at his side and washed his ass cheeks.

Her fingers and the washcloth slipped into the cleft and slid down. Eli gave a low soft groan as her fingers, covered in the washcloth, delved over that forbidden, sensitive region again and again. He tilted his head back, and he moaned quietly as she swept her finger gently over his perineum. It felt very naughty and sexy to do this for him, and she was turned on as she watched how it affected him. She swept over the whole area again with the washcloth before coming to stand in front of him at his other side.

His hand swept over her shoulder, and she asked, “Am I making you feel good?”

“Honey, you
know
you are. I’m still tingling,” he murmured huskily.

She lathered the washcloth again and smoothed soap over his lower abdomen. Her touch made his abs ripple as the washcloth slid lower. With great care, she washed his balls lovingly, but thoroughly, until he was panting for breath and murmuring her name over and over again.

“Will it hurt if I use the washcloth here?” she whispered sexily as she ran a finger slowly up the underside of his very rigid cock.

“No, just be gentle when I’m hard like this or use your hand if you want. Or bo—th,” he replied shakily as she gently washed the short, crisp hairs around his cock and then smoothed the washcloth along his length, wrapping her hand in the washcloth around him. After a few strokes that way, she rinsed the washcloth quickly and said, “You can wash your hair while I finish this, can’t you? Then we can get in bed.”

She applied more bodywash to her palm and lathered her hands. He poured shampoo in his hand and watched her movements as he began to lather his hair. She knew he always took a couple of minutes to wash his hair very thoroughly. Once he closed his eyes and began scrubbing, she wrapped her fingers around his hard cock. He gasped again.

“Did I startle you?’

“No–o–o. Feels good. I love your hands on me, everywhere. Ah, that stroking is nice,” he murmured as he moved within her hands. The soap made her hands slip up and down smoothly over his shaft. She swirled her
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palm softly over the head before sliding down again. He placed his big, warm hand over hers and stopped her motions. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to come in the shower. I want to be deep inside you when I finish.”

His words made her giddy at the mental image of him doing exactly that. “I’m done. I’ll let you finish.” She climbed out and reached for her towel. After drying off and combing her hair, she used his blow-dryer and dried her hair and then went into his bedroom. He’d already lit the candles and turned down the bed, so she set the alarm on her cell phone and placed it on the bedside table then slid between the cool sheets.

He came into the bedroom totally nude, his cock stiff and erect against his abdomen. He stood at the end of the bed and motioned to her to come to him. She rose off the pillow and crawled on her hands and knees to him, delighting in the dark lust she saw in his gaze. He was ready to play, and she wasn’t surprised by how quickly her body responded to the look in his eyes.

She grew wet with desire before he’d even said a word.

When she reached him, he slid his big, muscular arms around her shoulders and allowed his hands to glide down her back to her hips.

Grasping her soft curves, he tilted her body to his. With her on her knees, the height of his bed allowed for an advantageous alignment of his cock with her wet slit. She shivered in delight, thinking how well they would fit together if she turned on her hands and knees for him right now.

He’d taken her from behind before, with both of them in the bed, but there was something more…dominating about kneeling in front of him, wide open as he stood over her and took her from behind. The thought made her feel small and vulnerable. She knew his heart and trusted him completely, so she wanted to be that open to him and allow him that kind of control.

He tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. “I want to ask you about something. Yesterday, you said you might like to try anal sex with me. Is that still true for you, or were you merely caught up in the moment?”

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