“You’re a goddess,” he mumbled.
Noticing the silver tea pot on the counter and a mug half full of amber liquid, he knew Rose was already fortified by the herbal tea she preferred, but she always made coffee for him. God love the woman.
Sipping his coffee, he watched as she fixed a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. She must have got up quite early since he saw no evidence of the dishes from last night and remembered that he hadn’t given her a chance to clean up after dinner. Enjoying the view of her ass cheeks peeking out from below the short white robe she wore, Nathan finished his first cup and was going for his second when she placed a plate full of food in front of him.
“Here you go. It’s not fancy, but it should be edible,” she said.
“Looks great,” he assured her as he dug into the pile of eggs. “Aren’t you eating?”
“I had some yogurt and fruit earlier. You enjoy,” she assured him, refilling his cup and taking a seat at the table.
Nathan paused a moment. Earlier? Christ, didn’t the woman sleep?
“I’ve got some news for you that I meant to tell you before now, but last night…well, I got a bit distracted when you jumped my bones,” he began.
“Me? I think you’re the one who started things going,” she retorted, grinning.
“Whatever,” he admitted. “Anyway, next week you and me, Joe and Vince are all going on a little trip to Southern Illinois. We’ll check out various wineries—one in particular—using the excuse that Vince wants to add some local Illinois and Missouri wines to his menu…which isn’t a lie. He really has been considering adding wines to his stock.”
Nathan eyed Rose carefully, noticing how she sat up a bit straighter and looked down into her tea cup.
“Okay,” she answered quietly.
“That way we can get a better idea of what we’d be walking into before making actual introductions. Of course, you have veto power at any time, love,” he promised her.
Rose didn’t answer immediately and Nathan was more than willing to give her all the time she needed. He’d never known her to make any important decisions on the spur of the moment. Hell, last time he’d taken her out to dinner, she took fifteen minutes to decide on an entrée and wine and then only after quizzing the poor waiter over ingredients and vintages. He had to admit, the food and wine had complemented each other perfectly. The woman may be only a mediocre cook, but she knew and enjoyed good food.
“I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “When do we leave?”
Chapter Nine
Chambourcin
—
Produced from Illinois-grown grapes, this wine has a rustic wildness reminiscent of autumn nights and campfires beneath the stars.
Rose looked out of the back window of Vincent’s Jeep and marvelled at the rustic beauty of Southern Illinois. Tall trees stood sentinel on either side of the winding road and dappled diamonds of sunlight highlighted the wildflowers in the undergrowth. Rose loved the yellow petals of the Black-Eyed Susans, the white Queen Anne’s lace, and even the statuesque purple beauty of thorny thistles. Few people realised the loveliness of this part of the country.
“So tell me about this place where we’re staying,” Joe asked her.
The two men were in the front seat listening to a Cardinals game on the radio and the girls were in the back enjoying the scenery.
“Well, Giant City’s lodge was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The area became a state park about that time as well. We’re staying in the cabins, which offer more privacy than a hotel but have all the modern conveniences. Plus, the lodge has a fabulous family-style restaurant. I absolutely adore their fried catfish and dumplings,” Rose explained. She’d been to the cabins with girlfriends a few times and had even stayed at the campground once. She’d found the cabins clean and simple but had hated the camping. Lots of bugs, a three-minute walk to the shower house, where spiders clung to the corners and there was dirt everywhere. She liked hiking and gardening and other outdoor activities, but when it came to sleeping and bathing, she wanted to be sure everything was clean. No, she was much happier in a cabin…even if she had packed her own sheets and a bottle of her rosemary disinfectant so she could spritz off the tub…
Okay, so maybe Nathan was right and she was just a bit obsessive-compulsive.
“I feel like an idiot. I grew up in this state but I’ve never been here. I’m not even sure why it’s called Giant City,” Joe admitted.
“That’s easy. I can tell you, but if we get a chance to go hiking you’ll see first-hand.”
“What do you mean?”
“About twelve thousand years ago, give or take a few centuries, the warmer weather here caused glaciers from the Ice Age to melt. You may have noticed that the landscape here is more hilly than further north.”
“I have noticed that.”
“When the glaciers melted, they dropped all their debris—granite boulders, sandstone, and fertile soil—right here. The placement of the boulders and sandstone resembles city streets flanked by giant stone skyscrapers. Lots of people have carved their names and dates into the stones as well.”
Joe’s eyebrows shot up. “And that’s legal? Isn’t that defacing a protected site?”
“Oh, I’m sure it is now, and the rangers have really cut down on a lot of that crap, but some of the dates go back to the Civil War.”
“Seriously? But, that was back in the 1860s!” Joe exclaimed.
“Yep. And still very visible. The letters of the names and the numbers of the years look like they’ve been chiselled into the stone face,” Rose said with admiration. “It’s really something to see.”
“Hey, speaking of something to see,” Vince said, quickly turning around to glance at Joe before focusing again on the road. “Didn’t someone have a challenge for today?”
“Oh, come on, Vince. You really want me to do that?” Joe asked, a whine in her voice.
“What?” Rose asked. “Do what?”
“Joe there agreed to give me and all the truckers going by some eye candy to make the drive a bit more interesting. So far, she hasn’t lived up to her end of the bargain and you know what that means, don’t you?” Vince stated.
Joe rolled her eyes and looked at Rose. “He’s right. In a moment of weakness, I told Vince I’d ride topless for half the trip. If I don’t, he gets to spank me five times for each mile I’ve missed.”
“And by my calculations, we passed the mid-point about five miles ago,” Vince helpfully informed her.
Nathan threw back his head and laughed then turned around and said, “Looks like it’s going to be a very interesting trip. But, Joe, I’d feel bad if you were the only one exposed. Rose’d be happy to half strip as well, wouldn’t you, girl?”
Rose felt her insides warm, and she couldn’t be sure if it was the sound of Nathan’s laughter, his darkening eyes or the fact that he’d called her ‘girl’, but suddenly her thighs were damp.
“Whatever you wish, my Lord,” she responded and swiftly removed her tank top and bra.
Joe giggled and did the same.
“Aw, baby. Looks like you get at least twenty-five spankings when we get to the cabin. Poor little bottom,” Vince said. The smile he flashed in the rear-view mirror, however, belied the sternness of his words.
“That’s all?” Joe quipped back. “Well, I’m sure I can up that number to something more acceptable by the time we arrive.”
Again, Nathan roared with laughter and Rose looked at Joe in amazement. She had known Joe for years but had never realised she had submissive tendencies. Smiling, Rose reached over to hug her friend.
“Joe, I just have to say, you’ve never looked happier. I’m so glad for you,” Rose said, planting a kiss firmly on Joe’s lips.
“Same goes for you, little girl,” Joe answered. “You finally seem settled. And, I have to say, you have one of the loveliest sets of tits I’ve ever seen.”
“Here we go,” Nathan whispered.
Rose stole a quick glance at him and when he smiled and nodded encouragingly, she arched her back slightly, proudly displaying her round breasts.
“Nathan, may I?” Joe asked without taking her eyes off Rose’s white globes.
“If you don’t, I’m going to double your spankings,” Vince retorted.
“When you put it that way, the decision because a bit more difficult,” she answered with a giggle.
Nonetheless, Joe dipped her head and gently kissed a pink nipple. Rose sucked in her breath. She’d obviously touched many women’s bodies before during the course of her work, but she’d never had a woman kiss or touch her in such an intimate way. She looked down and caught Joe’s piercing blue gaze. Rose smiled encouragement. Lord, but Joe’s lips were soft and her hands, though small, kneaded her breasts with strength and purpose.
Rose gave herself over to the sensations Joe created with her gentle lips and clever tongue. She caught her own bottom lip between her teeth when she felt Joe’s hand trail down her stomach and over her short pink skirt while she began to suck a hard nipple. Closing her eyes, she moaned quietly when she felt Joe’s fingers slide easily into her slit.
“Oh my, Vince. Apparently Nathan has the same rule for Rose as you do for me this weekend. No panties,” Joe said quietly.
“As it should be,” he responded. “Having fun, sweetheart?”
“Very much so, my love.”
“Nathan, I got an idea,” Vincent said.
“Me too, but go ahead,” Nathan answered gruffly.
“Let’s give them a time limit…say, five minutes. If Joe can’t make Rose come in that time, we multiply her twenty-five spankings by the number of minutes she goes over,” he explained.
“Good idea, but not much of a challenge. Make it two minutes and you’re on,” Nathan amended.
Rose froze. A time limit? If she didn’t come then Joe would be punished? She opened her mouth to protest, but then she heard Joe giggle.
“Nice, Vincent. You know I can’t resist a challenge,” Joe quipped gaily.
Seeing only determination mixed with passion in her friend’s eyes, Rose leant back against the seat and relaxed.
“Oh, but this really isn’t much of a challenge, is it, sweet Rose?” Joe whispered in her ear while her busy fingers continued to slide up and down her wet slit. “You’re already wet as can be.”
“I don’t really know what to do, Joe,” Rose murmured. “I’ve never had a woman touch me like this before.”
“You just enjoy,” Joe explained.
Gasping, Rose did just that. Joe had penetrated her channel with one long, manicured finger. She slowly moved it in and out until Rose clenched her muscles in rhythm with the dance. She felt a sharp little flick against her clit and jumped.
“No?” Joe asked.
“Yes,” Rose answered.
Joe continued to use her hard nails to sweetly torture Rose’s button while at the same time adding another finger into her. Tingling sensations coursed through Rose’s body. Oh God…who knew a woman’s hands could feel so good? Joe quickened the pace and pushed deeper into Rose’s wet pussy and Rose began to tremble as the tide of passion rose within her and she instinctively struggled to control it.
“Come for her, girl,” a deep, resonant voice commanded.
Nathan. He’d given her permission to orgasm. Opening her eyes, she saw he had turned around and was watching her, a smile playing over his face. Focusing on his handsome face, Rose released her control. Waves of joy washed over her, lifting her to new heights of pleasure. She heard a woman call out and realised it was her. Slowly, she floated back to earth and felt Joe gently run her sticky hands up Rose’s body. Instinctively, Rose opened her mouth and sucked her own juices from Joe’s fingers.
“That’s my girl,” Nathan praised.
“You see, Vince. No challenge at all,” Joe murmured. “Rose is a passionate woman trapped in a car with two very handsome men and one hot woman. What was the time anyway?”
“Four minutes, so you’re up to fifty swats now, sweetheart,” Vince answered with a grin.
Honk! Honk!
Rose jumped, startled back to reality by the blare of a semi’s horn. Looking up out of her window, she saw a grinning trucker waving at her before he sped down the highway.
“Oh, Lord,” she said, searching the seat of the car for her shirt.
“Looking for this?” Nathan asked, holding up the small garment. “You two just made that poor guy’s day. Besides, what’s the use of covering up now? He’s already seen everything.”
“You knew he was watching?” Rose screeched, heat warming her cheeks.
“We all did,” answered Vincent. “Well, all but you. You were a bit preoccupied. Two hot women making out in the back seat of moving vehicle. Think about it, Rose. Someone was bound to notice.”
Rose was speechless. Suddenly, though, she began to laugh. Vince was right. What had she expected? Besides, she’d never felt so free and protected as she did right now.
* * * *
About half an hour later, they’d arrived at Giant City State Park. Nathan and Vince, in a moment of generosity, had allowed the women to put their tops back on while they drove through the crowded streets of Carbondale. Now, they were checked into their cabin.
Vincent grabbed Joe around the waist and said, “I believe you have a spanking due.”