Well Tuned

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  For a Full Listing of Mary’s Books visit her website.

  Contemporary Romance

  Studious Desires

  Good Medicine

  Juli’s Choice

  Passionate Practice (an anthology of Good Medicine & Juli’s Choice)

  Two In Hand

  Two Point Proposition

  The Master and His Lover

  Riding Partner

  Cowboy Up

  Well Tuned

  By

  Mary Winter

  A Charmed Chicken Media Production

  Rose Marie McCutchin slammed the hood down on her ’03 Dodge Ram and patted the dusty chrome. Sputter. Sputter. Dead. She replayed the symptoms over in her mind to counter her growing frustration. Ten miles from her parents’ farm, which was too damn far to walk in this August heat.

  With a heavy sigh she walked to the driver’s side and reached in for her cell phone. “Why, Jade, why? We were so close. Why couldn’t you wait?” The truck didn’t answer, so she might as well call her parents, though she’d hoped her return would be a surprise. “Call Mom,” she told the iPhone and blinked back the sting of tears.

  “Calling Mom,” Siri’s cool voice sounded back.

  “Cancel” A deep male voice said over her shoulder. “Hey darlin’ Rose.” His voice slid over her nerve endings with the power of a caress.

  Her breath caught with the onslaught of memories, many of them made in the back of this very pickup. She inhaled, steadied her nerves, and turned only to find herself way too close to Bodie Callahan.

  His blue eyes held concern. “Jade give up on you?” He brushed his finger across her chin. “Want me to take a look?”

  “Yeah.” She focused on her truck, her pride and joy. “I’m at a loss, and I really don’t want to call dad.” She grinned. “I’m not a teenager with a flat anymore.”

  His gaze swept down her body, lingering on valley between her breasts revealed by her low-cut tank top. Sweat plastered it to her body. “No, not a flat.”

  The husky note to his voice made her wet. She glanced at his lips, at the hint of stubble on his chin. The remembered feel of it scraping across her breasts, her stomach, then her inner thighs, as they lay beneath the stars made her breath catch. She flattened her hand on his chest, the muscle firm beneath her palm. His worn Mizzou shirt was soft, the hint of his warm, masculine smell making the memories all too real.

  “Brodie.” She didn’t move, couldn’t move. Need hummed through her body. Jade’s problems didn’t matter. The truck was here, could provide the place for her to sate the desires rising in her body. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too, darlin’.” He kissed her as if it’d been 10 minutes rather than years since they’d seen each other.

  The warm, insistent press of his mouth against hers unfurled warmth deep inside her. She curled her fingers against his chest, her arm wrapping around his ribs as she swayed against him. Her mouth opened and the hot dip of his tongue into her mouth made her moan.

  When the kiss ended, neither moved. Her heart pounded; her breathing ragged. Slowly, she became aware they were on the narrow shoulder of a state highway. No traffic came by—it wasn’t like this was a busy place—but someone could see her. And everyone knew her family. “The truck?” She tried to inched back, but her calves were against the edge of the door frame.

  For a moment she wondered if he were going to move, if maybe he’d pick up where they left off and take her in the front seat. Her body didn’t mind. Lust still hummed, and frankly, after the year she had some wine and a good hard fuck from Bodie would be exactly what she needed. But no. She couldn’t.

  “Let me get the tow bar on it and we’ll go to my place.”

  “Your place?” Last she knew he lived on the other side of Rolla, nearly three hours from here.

  “I bought the old Greavy place last year when he passed away. It’s handy since my brother and I help your dad with the fields.”

  “Thanks.” That was her brother’s job, or had been before he’d deployed to Afghanistan. “I’m sure dad appreciates the help. It’d kill him to stop raising cattle.” Though she’d hated the big smelly beasts, they had gotten her through 4-H and even allowed her to save money for college. “Why’d you move back?”

  She’d stayed with him as he’d gotten the tow bar out of the back of his half ton truck and attached it between the two vehicles. While he’d been focused on his work, she’d admired him. Time had honed his muscles, bulked him up just enough to make her wonder if he could hold her against him while they fucked. He’d lost his young looks, had lines at the corners of his eyes and across his brow. When his shirt had ridden up, she’d caught a glimpse of at least a six-pack and she longed to trace those chiseled lines with her tongue.

  “All ready.” He stood and grinned at her. “You want to ride with me? The tow bar will stabilize your truck.”

  Sure she wanted to ride…him. Easy girl. You may have left him 10 years ago, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten everything. Brodie wasn’t the revenge sex type, and he was helping her out of a jam. Still, she wasn’t going to do anything crazy. Not just yet anyway. “Let me grab my purse.” And my phone. I’m not stupid.

  It took her only a moment and she was stepping into the passenger side of his truck. The inside smelled like him and faintly of grease. A few wrappers, some convenience store cups, but mostly clean. She was impressed. Brodie didn’t worship his truck like some guys, but it was dirtier than she remembered. Apparently he’d learned to live a little.

  She closed the door, checked her truck in the rearview mirror, and a moment later they were driving down the highway. “So what made you move to the Greavy place?” She checked out her truck again, yep, still behind them. Somehow seeing Jade there made everything okay.

  “My brothers had the home place covered. I wanted to get away.” The way he kept his gaze on the road, his words clipped, spoke more than anything he’d said.

  So that was the way this was going to be. She could deal with that. “Well I appreciate the lift. Saves me from having to call the parents.” She didn’t want to do that. Not because they wouldn’t come, they did. But even after working for the last few years in Yellowstone, they still didn’t see her as a capable woman. They still fussed. Maybe parents never see their children’s capabilities, and her being an only child probably didn’t make it any easier. If they’d known Jade had quit on her…

  “I’m glad you’re back. Your truck is packed pretty full. You staying?”

  Was that hope she heard in his voice? Her mouth went dry. Brodie wanted her to come back—to stay? That news made her heart pound and her pussy cream. “Yeah. Cuts in funding took my job at Yellowstone. I’m hoping to find a conservation job around here. Dad’s not getting any younger.” She blinked back hasty tears. There, that’s what brought her back.

  Brodie patted her arm. “It’ll be okay. Do they know?”

  A shake of her head answered the question. Silence fell over the cab. Brodie’s hand slid from her arm to her thigh, heat seeping through denim into her leg. Not focusing on it proved to be impossible. His strong hand and fingers, his forearm tanned from the sun, provided more evidence that he’d grown, as had she, and all she could think about him touching her.

  He pulled into his driveway and she glanced toward her parents’ house. They weren’t outside, and she doubted between the pasture dotted with cattle and some tall weeds along the driveway that her parents could see her, even if they were looking in this direction. She watched, impressed, as he expertly backed Jade into a garage bay. The entire building was huge, with what looked li
ke living quarters over an office of some type.

  “You open your own shop?” She waited for the truck to stop, then opened the door.

  “You like? It’s all mine. There aren’t many good mechanics this far out of town.”

  She looked around, impressed by the immaculate drive with plenty of room for turning around, a four-bay garage and now she saw definitely an apartment over the office. “Who lives up there?” She gestured to a window framed with blue gingham curtains.

  “You looking for a place?” His breath tickled her cheek.

  She turned, startled at not realizing he’d come around the front of his truck. “Maybe. I—”

  He captured her uncertainty with his lips, picking up exactly where their roadside kiss had left off.

  Swaying against him, she curled her fingers into his hair and brought him into closer contact with her. She swept her tongue across his lips, tasting the sharpness of the Dr. Pepper he’d drank during the drive. She craved more.

  A sense of rightness hummed through her. He held the back of her head, his fingers gentle, his touch sure as he drew his other hand along her ribs to pull her closer to the edge of the seat and to him. Her breasts flattened against his chest, her nipples two points of hard desire that matched the need settling between her thighs.

  Brodie moaned.

  Her free hand found the way beneath his shirt to begin the journey of tracing his muscled torso.

  He stepped back, breaking the kiss to pull his shirt over his head. It fluttered to the gravel by his feet. She had a moment to view his perfect flat pectorals, the arrow of darker hair bisecting his abs—oh yes at least a six pack—to disappear beneath the waistband of his jeans. His erection pressed against the denim, and she gasped with the realization that this was really going to happen. With a grin, she grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She released it and let it fall behind her.

  He reached for the front clasp of her bra, then paused. “You want this?”

  With a nod she answered, “yes.”

  “Good.” He unhooked her bra and brought his face to the valley between her breasts. He caressed first one than the other, running his thumb over the already-hardened nipples. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “So beautiful.” He drew a nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  She cried out, her back bowing off the truck seat. Oh god, she hadn’t wanted anything so much in her life. The ache in her pussy tightened, became a demanding throb of need. She didn’t need foreplay—not right now—she needed Brodie’s hard cock deep inside her. She opened her mouth to speak and the words wouldn’t form. Instead, she widened her thighs and hooked her legs behind Brodie’s thighs and drew him close enough for the crotch of her jeans to rub against his fly.

  Electric sparks jolted through her. She rocked, against him, the friction of denim against denim making her even hotter. She released him to slide her hands between them and find the buttons on his jeans. First one, then the next slipped free. She reached into the opening.

  Springy hairs met her fingertips. Commando. Perfect.

  Brodie lifted his head from her breasts. “Wait a minute.” He reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and tossed a condom on the truck seat next to her. As soon as he put his wallet back into his pocket, he finished unbuttoning his jeans and letting them fall down around his knees.

  Any other man might have looked silly standing there, jeans around his knees, but not Brodie. Though she couldn’t see a lot of him, what she did see, including his thick, long cock hard and ready for her, looked magnificent. He unbuttoned her jeans. She lifted her ass, thankful for the hours of yoga as he pulled her jeans and panties down her thighs. She unwound her legs from his and let him pull them all the way down to her boots. There’d be no wrapping her legs around his waist now, but frankly, she didn’t care as he opened the condom and rolled it into his shaft.

  Just like old times, she thought as he grabbed her hips and pulled her close to him. “You ready?”

  The husky rasp of his voice made her close her eyes and roll her hips against his. “Fuck yes,” she said when she opened her eyes and grinned. “Fuck me,” she ordered.

  “And you’ll like it,” he growled, with just the barest hint of teasing.

  She knew she would. He thrust forward, filling her completely. She bit her lip, something keeping her from crying out though she doubted anyone could hear—let alone see—them. They fit together perfectly just like they had years ago. When he began to move, she went with him. The ebb and flow of their bodies hummed like a powerful engine between them. Each wave brought her closer to the peak.

  His hands remained on her waist. Her breasts bounced with each thrust, the slight breeze cooling the sweat rising on her skin. She bit her lip, trying to keep from crying out and then couldn’t keep it in any longer. With another hard thrust, she came, the cries of pleasure echoing in the cabin of the truck.

  Brodie followed her into pleasure, a hoarse, guttural shout announcing his own climax. He leaned forward, not quite resting on her, his hands strong around her hips, as he came. Without missing a beat, he moved his hands to her shoulders, pulling her up to him, and kissed her.

  It was a kiss of homecoming. That was all it could be. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, and she really didn’t want to leave. Except they were naked in the cab of his truck in his driveway where anyone could drive in and see them.

  “Clothes?” she whispered against his chest.

  He pulled away, though still held her shoulders. A quick heated glance darted down her naked body. “If you insist. But yeah, this is a bit public for me.”

  “Guess we’re older and wiser?” She pulled away and grabbed her shirt, sliding it on to see he’d pulled up his pants and was fastening them. He’d stepped back enough so she could stand and pull up her pants as well.

  “Maybe older. Look I don’t…” He glanced around.

  “I get it. I don’t either. But it was so damn good to see you, Brodie. Some things never change.” She cupped his cheek. “I’m glad you were the one who showed up.”

  “Me too. Look, why don’t I show you the apartment above the shop while I take a look at Jade, okay?”

  “Sure.” She grabbed her purse out of the cab and followed him into a sparse, but functional office. A door led to the apartment upstairs, though he also showed the exterior entrance as well as the alarm that was set in the office after hours. The studio apartment was designed for a single person with a large room that served as living room, bedroom, and kitchen space with an attached bathroom. Just a shower stall, but he assured her that she could use the big Jacuzzi tub in his house any time.

  “You sure you wouldn’t mind my being here? Just until I find a place in town. I don’t remember your saying how much rent would be.”

  Brodie smiled. “I didn’t, but I’m sure we can agree on something reasonable. I had it built for a buddy of mine who was going to manage the shop, but it looks like he’s found a different place. Besides, if you get a job at the national forest, town would be out of the way.”

  “Sorry about your friend not working out.”

  He shrugged. “Don’t be. He found someone nice and will be staying with her.”

  “Oh.” And that brought them back to here, this moment, the fact that they’d made love on the front seat of his truck as if it hadn’t been years between them. And yet, it was like none of that had passed.

  “It’s okay. I’m happy for him and he’s still going to work with me here at the shop. Let me hook Jade up to the computer and see what I can find out. You’re welcome to wait up here.” Brodie turned and headed downstairs.

  Rose stayed for a moment, imagining herself living in this space. It would be handy being next door to her parents and close to the national forest. She debated for a moment longer, then headed downstairs to tell Brodie she’d take the apartment.

  She saw him bent over the computer plugged into her truck’s port. With a nod of his head, he straig
htened and turned. “Just as I suspected from what you told me. The fuel filter. I’ll call the auto supply in town and make sure they have one in stock. An easy fix.”

  “That’s a relief. Thank you.” She paused by a surprisingly clean workbench, all the tools put away neatly. “And thank you for the offer of the apartment. Do you mind if I get my bag out of back?”

  “Not at all. I’ll let you know as soon as I know we can get the filter.” He pulled his cell phone from its holster and dialed.

  Rose grabbed the duffel that held most of her every day clothes and took it back through the office and upstairs. Once there, she took a few moments to catch her breath. “What now?” she whispered to herself. She didn’t quite expect this to happen. Impulsive sex with Brodie, her truck breaking down, an offer of an apartment…and yet, it turned out okay in the end. Or at least she hoped so.

  Footsteps made her turn to see Brodie leaning in the doorway watching her. “Whatever you want,” he said in that sexy voice, and in that moment, she knew everything was going to be all right.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Mary Winter lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her hero-husband on 18 acres along with spoiled horses and even more spoiled chickens. She’s been published since 2002. Don’t forget to visit her website and sign up for her newsletter where you can receive free books and discount coupons.

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  WELL TUNED

  ©2016 by Mary Winter. All Rights Reserved.

  Published by Mary Winter/Charmed Chicken Media

  Electronic Publication Date: February 2017

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