Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Maree (3 page)

‘That’s my aim.’ Brad took out the condom and put it on. Then he lay down, covering Maree with his body. He held still and looked down at her, and, with a gentle hand, pushed her hair from her forehead. ‘I’m a lucky guy.’

Maree shook her head. ‘I’m the lucky one.’

Brad kissed her. ‘We’re both lucky,’ he said and then he was pushing into her, sinking into her, and Maree closed her eyes so there was nothing to distract her from the sensation of his penetration.

When he was deep, pressed tight against her, Maree wrapped her thighs around his and squeezed, hoping he got her unspoken message that she loved having him inside her. Brad moaned, and then he moved, pulling out and pushing forward, at first slowly and deliberately, then faster, harder.

Maree rocked with him, her body welcoming him, panting and groaning as each thrust built the tension and wonder and need inside her.

‘Fuck, Ms Haraldson. Fuck.’

‘Make me come.’

‘Jesus.’ His body responded like a racehorse lunging for the line, power and beauty and majesty. Maree lost control of her emotions, her responses, and clung to him as he sent her soaring over the edge, plunging her into a sea of pleasure. They cried out in unison as their bodies released and shuddered against each other.

Brad collapsed on top of her, panting, unable to move. Maree hugged him tight, loving the intimacy. After long moments he shifted to the side so she no longer bore his weight, but he pulled her tight against him, maintaining the skin-on-skin contact.

‘I’m glad you called. I wasn’t sure if this was just something you wanted at school or not.’

Maree frowned. ‘Why didn’t you ask?’

‘You’re the teacher. You’ve got a reputation to maintain. I didn’t want to put any pressure on you.’

He had a point—she did have a position in the town, simply by being the only teacher. But from the bawdy conversations she’d overheard at Lucky’s, she didn’t think the town would mind her having some fun. As long as she was discreet.

‘Turns out there is a way if we’re inventive.’

‘Then I look forward to seeing you be inventive tomorrow. Although I should warn you, I possibly won’t be in any state to satisfy you Saturday night.’

Maree lifted herself on her elbow to look down at him. ‘Why?’

‘I’m riding in the rodeo Saturday.’

A shudder ran through her. ‘You are? Isn’t that dangerous?’

‘Only if you don’t know what you’re doing, and aren’t careful.’

‘And you do? You will be?’

Brad pulled her back down to rest against his chest. ‘I do know what I’m doing, and you’ve given me even more reason to be careful than usual.’

Maree snuggled against him, but her heart continued to thud. People sometimes died at rodeos. Or were seriously maimed. Could the universe really be planning to take Brad from her, so soon after she’d finally found him?

***

Even though Friday was only a half-day due to the rodeo, it was still a long, torturous morning. The children were so excited about the rodeo that they couldn’t concentrate on anything, much less actually sit still. Maree gave in and they spent the morning watching a movie while she cleaned the classroom.

Once they were gone, she sat at her desk to get a start on marking the week’s homework so she’d have the weekend free. She was doing well, until she noted the clock marking quarter to four. Brad normally arrived at four.

She was lost in a mirage of desire, picturing what they would do to each other, when she heard the car door slam. Maree shot to her feet and ran halfway across the classroom before she controlled herself. Enthusiasm was great, but she wasn’t a teenage girl throwing herself into the arms of her lover. A bit of class was also called for.

She made herself walk more slowly across to the door and out onto the verandah. She looked down at the spot Brad where should have been standing, but he wasn’t there. Then voices came to her.

Maree looked up and her eyes shot wide so fast it hurt. Her mouth went dry and she trembled. Brad was leaning casually against his truck, and in front of him, dressed in a strappy top and short shorts and looking incredibly hot and fuckable, was a girl Maree had never seen before. Judging by the too-new Akubra and the pale skin on her bare legs, she was one of the tourists in town for the rodeo. She was also much younger and much more attractive than Maree.

Maree rushed down the steps and across the lawn, panic pushing her flight. She halted next to the pair and the words escaped her. ‘Brad, shouldn’t you be working?’

Brad turned to look at her and smiled that slow smile that should set her blood on fire. But she was doused in the chill of doubt and fear and felt nothing. ‘Something in particular you need me to do, Ms Haraldson?’ Then he winked.

It was the girl who answered. ‘Surely you don’t need to do anything this afternoon, Brad? You can take me to the pub and start introducing me around. This should be a fun weekend.’ Then she batted her eyelashes.

‘It can only be a fun weekend once the work is done,’ Maree snapped. ‘The grass needs mowing.’

‘I’ll get right onto it.’ Brad touched the brim of his Akubra in salute and sauntered away.

‘I’ll wait until you’re done,’ the girl called out, then smiled at Maree, but it was a hard smile, the smile of a woman claiming her territory. ‘If I’m not breaking some law or something by waiting here.’

Maree stormed across the yard and around the back of the library to the shed. Brad was pulling out the ride-on mower to get started.

‘What are you doing?’ Maree couldn’t believe the anger coming out in her voice. No, not anger—fear.

Brad looked at her, his expression calm. ‘You wanted me to mow the lawn.’

Maree wanted to ask him if he wanted the hot girl waiting for him by his truck, if he was over wanting her. But her throat was tight and her mouth was dry and she was shaking with overwhelming doubt . ‘Yes, please. Thank you.’

She went back to the classroom, slumped into her chair. What the hell was wrong with her? So the girl was younger, in better shape, more the type of woman she’d imagine Brad with. He’d chosen her. He’d fucked her senseless several times over the past two weeks. What was she doing?

Maree took a deep breath, and another, and the panic subsided. What a ridiculous, overwrought reaction. She had just as much to offer Brad as that girl did. More, it could be argued. Experience. Confidence. Willingness to let go and enjoy herself, without the neuroses that could accompany being young and still learning about yourself.

Neuroses. Right, like she hadn’t just put on a grand display of that.

The sound of a car door. Brad’s? Surely he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye?

Maree went to the window. It was Brad, and sitting next to him in the front of the truck was the girl. Maree watched, wide-eyed, as he started the engine. The girl waved to Maree as they drove off.

Just like that, all the sexiness, all the confidence, drained away.

Taking a deep breath to collect herself, Maree locked up the school and went home. The house was steamy after being closed all day. Leaving the front door open to let some air in, but locking the wire door, Maree went to the kitchen. She poured herself a wine, then went to sit out on the back porch. Her long backyard contained a large shed and some fruit trees before ending in a wire fence. Beyond was the flood plain, and in the distance the twin row of trees that marked the winding path of the river. Not that she needed to worry about flood, the way the drought was.

Maree loved that simply by sitting near her back door, she felt like she was in the middle of nowhere and that the school was miles away. She’d been able to find an ability to turn off the teacher brain and just relax here that she’d never managed at any other school.

She sipped the sauvignon blanc. If Brad thought he could have his fun, then come back to Maree when the weekend was done, he was going to find he was very much mistaken. Maybe Maree should hunt out a new lover. According to Brad, there were plenty of men around who would be happy to take the position.

Planning a seduction required more than just a glass of wine. Maree went back into her kitchen and freshened her glass, then put together a plate of cheese, crackers and fig jam.

Back outside, she luxuriated in her snack, and considered her options. The pub was out, with Brad and the girl there. Where else to go? Most people would be camping down at the showground—maybe she should go there. Surely they would do something tonight—a bonfire or something like that.

‘Nice view,’ said a male voice.

Maree jumped and turned. Brad was leaning against the corner of her house, smiling at her. What was he doing here? ‘Where’s the girl?’

‘At the Royal. I introduced her to a couple of likely lads and she’s trying it on with them.’ Brad strode across and Maree’s mouth watered. ‘Besides, it’s Friday afternoon. That means it’s time for me to make you come, Ms Haraldson.’ He winked.

Brad had left the hot girl to come here and fuck her. It was the greatest aphrodisiac Maree had ever known.

She stood and grabbed his shirt. ‘Come with me.’ She pulled him into the house and down the hall into her bedroom. There, she tugged at the buttons on his shirt, willing the clothes from his body faster than she could remove them. When his shirt was off, Maree set to work on his trousers. Buckle. Belt. Buttons. Brad kicked his boots off and Maree pushed the jeans down. His taut erection tented the front of his grey cotton boxers.

Maree took a deep breath, to calm herself a little, and then she slowly pulled the boxers down, revealing his magnificent cock. The cock that had brought her so much pleasure.

‘You’re stunning.’ She gently ran a finger up and down the hard length of him. Brad hummed—not music, simply pleasure from her touch.

She did it again, then traced the same path with the tip of her tongue. He was salty and Maree could hear him panting. She slicked her tongue across the head of his cock and Brad jerked.

‘Baby,’ he muttered.

Maree opened her mouth and took him in, slowly, as deep as she could. Then she massaged him with her tongue.

‘Fuck.’ Brad grabbed her hair—not hurting her, but firmly holding her in place. ‘So good, Ms Haraldson. So fucking good.’

Maree lifted her head, and then sank down onto him again and Brad shivered. Knowing she was pleasing him fired her own need, and deep inside her body softened and readied for him. Her breasts tingled, her nipples hardened. Her clitoris throbbed.

Maree sucked, hard, and Brad jerked against her with a hiss. Should she have him come in her mouth, or in her pussy? Decisions, decisions.

She kept moving her mouth on him, and Brad’s hand tightened in her hair. The pain gave her arousal extra spice—she was making him lose control. Right now, there wasn’t anything else, anyone else, he was thinking about but her.

‘Ms Haraldson. Maree. Fuck, I wanna fuck you so bad.’

The sound of her first name on his lips caused a wave of such pure desire she almost came, just like that. She pulled away from him, gasping.

‘Fuck me.’ She scrambled to her unsteady feet. She pulled off her underwear, crawled onto her bed on her hands and knees and flipped her skirt over her hips, baring herself. ‘Now. Please.’

Maree closed her eyes. She felt the bed dip as Brad climbed on. She gasped as his hands grasped her hips, his need evident in the less than soft touch. Then she felt him press against her pussy. With a groan, she relaxed and he pushed into her, deep and hard, turning the groan into a gasp.

‘Yes,’ she said, the word escaping her. ‘More. More.’

Brad moved, pulling out and slamming into her, as lost in this moment as she was. His every thrust thrilled and her entire body tightened before the orgasm rolled over her. She cried out, again and again as he made the orgasm wave and crash with each thrust until, finally, he shouted, thrust hard and emptied himself inside her.

After, Brad held her against his chest and Maree rested in perfect contentment.

‘I thought you were interested in that girl,’ she admitted. ‘That it was over between us.’

‘How can you doubt that I want anyone but you? From the moment you arrived in town, I’ve thought of nothing else.’

All manner of words rose to her tongue—
I’m so much older than you. I’ve got wrinkles, and crow’s feet, my breasts ceased being pert more than a decade ago. I’ve got stretch marks from bearing two children, and in cold weather my hip aches.

But Brad knew all that and yet he had come back to her. Again and again. It obviously didn’t matter to him, so she wasn’t going to let it matter either.

‘A stupid moment of brain idiocy,’ she said. ‘I’m never going to think it again.’

‘Good.’ Brad kissed her forehead. ‘Very good.’

***

The cowboy hit the dirt with a thud and the crowd moaned their disappointment. He’d looked good, strong, determined, but then halfway through the ride he’d slipped. The bull must have sensed it, because he put on a bucking masterclass and within seconds the cowboy had been sailing over the animal’s head to hit the dirt.

‘Isn’t this fabulous?’ A girl sitting in the row in front of Maree squealed. ‘Next time, I’m bringing all my girlfriends out here. They’ll love it.’

It certainly was everything city girls thought the country was about. Hot cowboys controlling wild beasts. Lots of beer flowing, sausages frying and socialising until the wee hours.

If Brad weren’t riding, Maree would probably be sitting here experiencing the same thrill as that young woman. Instead, her guts were churning. One man had been carried out of the arena on a stretcher after he landed in the dirt badly and broke something. This cowboy thankfully got up and walked out, escorted by staff while someone distracted the bull, able to brush the dirt off his jeans and wave coyly at the crowd.

What if Brad were hurt? It wasn’t just about him not being able to pleasure her. They’d had dinner together last night, and sat out on her patio and talked until it was dark. She’d learned all about him—his background, his likes and dislikes, the things they agreed on and the things they didn’t. Most of all, she’d learned that he wanted to keep calling her Ms Haraldson as a bit of a fetish. ‘You remind me a little of a hot teacher I had in high school. I really wanted to fuck her, but couldn’t. I’m reliving a bit of a teenage fantasy with you.’