Chapter Fourteen

“Where are we?” Jaime sat up with a start, trying to orient herself in the darkness. The car had barely stopped, but she couldn’t imagine they were in Yellowstone already. “How long was I asleep?”

“You’ve been snoring since I turned south.”

“No, no, no.” She slapped her leg with each word. “We’re going west. Yellowstone, Boise, Oregon.” Her heart pounded. She’d known better than to drift off. But with so little sleeping going on in bed this trip, she couldn’t help it.

“I got tired of driving into a sunset while you slept through it. Besides, I don’t think they have views like this in Boise.” He grinned and climbed out of the car.

She looked out his window and smiled in wonder. The majestic Mormon Temple rose high, stretching for the heavens. She scrambled out of the car and joined Xavier to stare up at the massive building. The lights streaming upwards lit the architecture, literally highlighting the severe structure topped with playful spires.

Xavier motioned toward the building. “You don’t think this is spooky?”

She shook her head. “I always looked forward to driving into Salt Lake and seeing it. I guess if you drive across the country often enough, a massive building reaching out from the mountains begins to seem comforting. Though, now that you mention it, the dramatic lighting reminds me of telling ghost stories to my brothers in the dark while I shined a flashlight on my face.”

He tilted his head, the lights of the building brightening his puzzled expression. “I like how the architecture plays with being both forbidding and welcoming.”

It warmed her to know he not only listened to her suggestion, but he appreciated it the way she’d hoped he would. If only she had an idea of his agenda. When she’d nodded off, they’d been headed for Yellowstone. “Care to let me in on your new plan?”

“I’m trying to decide between the ground and the trunk of the car.”

“I’m not following you.” Even if she wanted to, he could never talk her into it. Not on a city street.

“It’s too dark for me to hand hold.” He stepped back to the car and pulled out his camera bag. He set it on the trunk and started pulling out the little black bags that held his toys.

Apparently, she was the only one with sex on the brain. Checking her watch, she wondered what kind of hotel they’d be able to find after midnight. She’d had a nap, so they could get back in the car and head…where?

Across Nevada? She couldn’t think of a single thing to use as an excuse to stay another day. Even Lake Tahoe was out of the way. They were twelve hours from her mother’s house. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try and lift the heaviness in her chest. She wanted more time, but she couldn’t make any argument for it. She’d spent the better part of a week telling him to take her home.

“This is making me nervous.”

Jaime opened her eyes to find Xavier lying on the sidewalk, his camera angled up at the temple. The bizarre positions he perched in with the hopes of finding a better shot always made her grin. “It’s certainly strange.”

He moved the camera to shoot her a glare, then turned his attention back to his architecture obsession. “I see what I want, but I’m not capturing it. It’s right there, but I can’t figure out how to make it work.”

She knew the feeling.

“Maybe it will be better with a timer and tripod.” Xavier sprung up as if he hadn’t been awake since before dawn.

“Do you ever sleep?” Jaime leaned against the car and he glanced at her.

“I slept the whole way here. Don’t touch the car.”

“Okay.” She stepped away and turned on her phone. Taking pictures with a phone would always be good enough for her.

“Sorry, I have to keep the car still to keep the camera still.” He maneuvered his tripod, which reminded her of the pop beads her brothers had played with as kids. She’d seen him attach it to tree branches and out windows. He always wound up cursing at the thing, like he was doing now.

“What’s the plan after you get your shot, Mr. Full-Of-Surprises? We’re only twelve hours from Medford. Or I know where the Holiday Motel is here.” She steeled herself against his response.

He stepped back from the car without answering her. The camera clicked and he stared at it intently, like he was using a Jedi mind trick to make it do what he wanted. It clicked again and he picked it up, examining his results.

“Xav, really? You’re going to ignore me?”

“I’m ignoring all references to heading to Medford. I told you we’d be there in plenty of time and we won’t be staying in motels.” He set the camera in the tripod again, repeating the click-stare-click procedure. Twice.

She tapped her toe, but in flip-flops it didn’t make a sound. There was nothing to distract her from wondering whether he turned south to prolong their time together or to photograph architecture. She cleared her throat and he cursed, but with the way he fiddled with the camera, she knew changing lenses caused his creative missives, not her. Usually she didn’t mind waiting for him, but it was dark and the streets had an eerie quiet to them.

“Can I help?” She couldn’t imagine with what, but she’d never been good at standing around.

“Can you stand still?” he asked without looking at her.

“I’m sorry, but usually there is something for me to do or look at so I don’t notice how long this takes.”

“That comment is begging for a lesson in patience.”

She wanted to beg him to tell her what he had on the agenda. Would she be lunching with her family tomorrow, well, today? Or having some Utah adventure?

“I need you to stand over here.” He took her hand, his warmth doing nothing to calm her frustrations, instead firing new ones.

Just fabulous, she was turned on and he only had eyes for his camera. “I need you to tell me what we’re doing. I fell asleep headed in one direction and woke up in another state.”

He led her in front of the camera, then turned his attention back to it.

“Really?” They had a staring match while the camera went through its click-pause-click routine. His smile sparkled in the dim light as he examined the display and adjusted it again.

“You are the most infuriating man I have ever met.”

“You like it.” He stepped to her and took her hands in his.

“I really don’t.” But being this close to him was pretty fabulous, even if he was annoying.

“We need to be perfectly still.” He leaned forward, his lips touching hers.

So she was a prop? Jaime stayed motionless as the camera cycled, then dropped her shoulder and rammed him. Hard. Having so many brothers really did come in handy for a few things.

He staggered back and rubbed at his chest as he returned to the camera. “You’re going to pay for that.”

“You want to talk punishments? You threw my itinerary out a window, dragged me from state to state without so much as a thought to my opinions, and decided on this southbound detour without even mentioning it to me. So if either of us is in the wrong here, it’s clearly you. Give me the keys.” She held out her hand.

Xavier’s laughter bellowed and echoed on the quiet streets. “This is perfect. You put your leg out.”

“The photo? I just gave you a laundry list of complaints and you’re focused on a picture? Don’t get too attached to it. You have to delete it. No one can see a picture of us kissing.”

“Look.” He turned the camera display towards her. “It’s my best one yet, though I think it’s you that makes it, not skill on my part.”

Walking over to him, she tried not to stomp like a toddler. The way he ignored her protests annoyed her, and then evaporated when she saw the shot. They were a simple silhouette in front of the lights streaming up the building, turned vivid purple and blue by some magic he’d done with the exposure. Their hands interlaced, only their lips touching, and the cheeky way she’d lifted one leg did look amazing.

And no one would know it was her. She might even be able to keep it as a tangible memento of the trip. Except she didn’t need any reminders. She’d wear the mark on her heart for the rest of her life.

“Am I forgiven?” He packed up the camera bag with military precision.

“One good portrait doesn’t make up for driving to another state without telling me.”

He slid the bag behind his seat. “The Mormon Temple is the only thing you mentioned you wanted to see when you weren’t trying to manipulate me into doing what you want. I saw a sign in Casper, and since you were asleep I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You came here for me? Come on. And don’t you dare say Casper the ghost made you do it. Don’t blame this on ghosts or Wyoming.” Her anger melted away knowing he had considered her feelings, but she didn’t want him to know that. She wanted to be wherever he was, for as long as she could, but she didn’t want to just be along for the ride.

He shrugged his shoulders. “You don’t like the surprise?”

It was her turn to stare blankly at him.

“Fine, I won’t take you to a different state without telling you first. Ça va?”

“Without asking me, Xavier. Respect me enough to ask.”

He placed a hand on his chest and stepped to her. “I have nothing but respect for you, J’aime.” He fished the keys from his pocket and held them out to her. “Grand Canyon or Las Vegas. You decide.”

She grabbed the keys and smiled wide. Now she was in the driver’s seat.

…

“I’m a runner, not a climber.” Xavier leaned his back against the red sandstone canyon wall, straightening his legs so his feet braced on the other side. He didn’t look down, not wanting to see how deep the slot canyon went.

“You could have hiked around with the rest of our tour peeps.”

“I wasn’t going to let you do this alone.”

“The guide said he’d do it with me.”

Oh yeah, he’d seen the man’s intent with that one. No way in hell he’d let anyone else into a tight spot with Jaime. “I thought it might make for some good shots.”

“You haven’t even taken out the camera.”

“I’ve been trying to stay alive.” His muscles ached from the strain. He looked around Jaime, seeing another curve in their path.

“Give it to me then.”

He pulled the camera from the backpack the guide had told him to put on backwards. He still wasn’t sure the guy wasn’t trying to make him look daft in front of Jaime.

“Stay there.” Jaime looped the camera around her neck and turned, bracing one foot on either side of the canyon as she headed toward the bend.

“How does this not hurt your feet?” And legs, and arms. He’d been pretty confident in his physique this morning, but somehow muscle definition didn’t equal strength when maneuvering in a narrow space.

“I taught rock climbing at a gym and a couple of summer camps. It’s not that it feels great, I just know to use my legs. You keep trying to use your arms. If you’d listen to me, you wouldn’t need to whine.”

“I haven’t complained nearly as much as you have about the haunted places.”

She leaned back against the wall, bracing with her feet, and pointed the camera at him. “Say cheese.”

He laughed as she fired off a few shots. He turned and made his way toward her as she continued to play photographer.

“These would be so much better if you weren’t wearing a shirt. Or pants.”

He perched next to her and leaned in for a kiss. It used to be that kissing was a precursor to sex, but with Jaime he seemed to do it with no ulterior motive.

“We can do Las Vegas too, if you want.” She grinned and looped the camera strap over his head.

“Where did that come from? This morning you threatened to strand me in Utah and drive yourself home.”

She rolled her eyes. “You booked another package deal while I was in the shower. It felt, oh, what’s your favorite word again? That’s right, manipulative.”

“You left me alone at a Holiday Motel breakfast buffet. What did you expect me to do? Make another waffle?” He snapped a shot of their booted feet against the red and cream striped sandstone. Hopefully she wouldn’t get blisters from hiking in new shoes.

“This is a five-day excursion. When I told Allison, she panicked. If Trent hadn’t called you to say he’d calmed her down, I would have had to go straight home.”

“And yet you just offered to take me to Vegas when we’re done.”

“I’ve never been to Vegas.” She turned and headed for the bend.

He followed, stepping down onto a ledge. His shoulders didn’t fit, so he had to walk sideways, but he much preferred walking on the bottoms of his feet than the sides.

“Oh, wow.” Jaime stopped and stared at the sunlight streaming down in ribbons from above. “This is worth it.”

Xavier took a few shots then got a better idea. “Go stand in the light.”

“I’m hardly picture-worthy at this point. I’m dusty and sweaty.”

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek over her shoulder. “The shot would be better without your shirt. And shorts. But I’ll settle for you in sunlight.” He smacked her firm ass and she scooted towards where the light pooled in streams of honey at her feet.

She raised her arms and leaned her head back, letting the sunlight wash over her skin. She could make even the most gorgeous sight even more exquisite. The shots were amazing, but the image was better in person.

“What are you doing?” he asked as she looked around and then turned her back to him.

“Put the camera away.” She faced him and toyed with the hem of her shirt.

He read the hunger in her eyes and did as he was told, walking towards the spotlight all the while. The warm sun hit his skin like a caress as he stepped along the solid floor of the canyon. He took off the pack and set it on the ground beside them.

She licked her lips and reached for the waistband of his shorts. She pulled him to her then squeezed his hardening cock. With a triumphant smile, she rose up on her toes and whispered in his ear.

“How fast can you be?”

“Depends on what we’re doing.” Her fingertips beneath his shirt sent all his blood south. Yes, he could be fast, slow, whatever she wanted as long as she kept her hands on him.

“I had this fantasy, just now.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, drawing his attention there.

He moved in, even while she continued to talk. He’d give her any fantasy she wanted. Up against the wall, bracing against it, even on the rough stone floor.

“I want you in my mouth, with the sun on your chest and your hands in my hair.” She pulled her hair from its ponytail and shoved the band in her pocket. She worried her lip again.

He threaded his fingers through her hair and gripped the nape of her neck, bringing her mouth to his, tangling together in a demanding dance of desire.

She undid his shorts and turned her head, whispering as he kissed her neck. “I love it when you want me.”

Oh, did he ever. He tugged at her T-shirt and she raised her arms, letting him take it off. A quick twist to the front clasp of her bra and her breasts spilled free.

“Hold on.” She stopped him with a hand to his chest as he leaned in for a taste. “I meant fast. If you can’t do this in a couple of minutes, we can’t play.”

He straightened up and took off his own shirt, dropping it in front of him. The shorts dropped next as air hit his straining cock. “If your pussy is off limits, I need the taste of your tits on my tongue. You want fast, I’ll shoot down your throat in minutes.”

“No shouting. I don’t want an audience.” She pulled her shoulders back and stepped to him, letting the sun stream onto her chest.

He reached out and cupped her, pressing her breasts together before placing a long lick on each straining nipple. He sucked and pulled, loving the way her hand on his cock mimicked his ministrations. They had to do this again, some place without a timeline.

“Xavier, we have to be fast or they’ll come looking for us.”

Jaime sank to the ground in front of him, the streaming sunlight casting golden highlights on her dark hair. He slid his hands into the silky strands as she looked up at him with a wicked grin.

“Were you thinking it would be like this?” She lifted her chest and pressed his cock between her breasts. She squeezed and darted out her clever tongue to lick the tip of his cock.

Pleasure shot down to his balls and coiled there. Oh yeah, he could go fast.

“Blink,” she said, licking him again. “It’s like taking a picture.”

As his own words echoed back to him, he thrust for her mouth, only to have the teasing minx pull away.

“Or like this?” she nuzzled her chin between his sack and cock, his dick lying on her face.

An image so erotic he’d never be able to block it from his mind. At once dominant and submissive, his perfect match, and yet their lives didn’t line up at all.

She licked him from base to tip and he fisted a hand in her hair to keep her from teasing him again.

“Don’t hold back,” she whispered. “I want you to come.”

Her wish was his command as she let him into her hot, wet mouth. She rocked slowly at first, taking more with each bob of her head. He watched as she worked him like a musician at a symphony, playing him to rapid perfection.

Her mouth stuffed with his cock, she looked up at him with her big, brown eyes and hummed in satisfaction. He couldn’t help himself as he began to pump into her, her throat working some kind of magic on the tip of his cock.

She squeezed his ass, her fingernails digging into his flesh and tightening the sensations. Her mouth was heaven. The only thing keeping him from blasting off like a rocket was the intense desire to be deep in her pussy, pushing deeper into her with each pulse of his orgasm.

She pulled back, working him with her lips and tongue before she wrapped her mouth around the tip of his cock and sucked, hard. Like she was trying to pull the come from his balls. She nearly did before releasing him and rubbing her soft cheek against his length.

“I’m going to take you down my throat,” she whispered. “And you’re going to come for me. You want to come for me, don’t you, Xavier?”

She licked her way to the head of his cock then rocked him back into her mouth with hungry quickness. He slid his fingers against her scalp, pulling the hair from her face so he could look into her eyes.

The passion there hit him like a bolt of lightning, electrifying his nerves until every sensation exploded, launching him into bliss. He quivered as he shot into her, panting to keep himself from crying out her name. He finished and stepped wider, fighting to stay upright.

She released him and stared up at him with a devilish grin. “You’re gorgeous.”

He didn’t have enough brain cells firing to respond as she stood up and gave a naughty little wiggle. His cock twitched in hopeful appreciation.

“I’m so proud of me right now.” Jaime collected her bra and slipped it into place.

“I’m quite pleased with you too.” He pulled up his shorts and picked up his shirt and hers and walked to her, glad his body had started to work again.

“Did you see how impulsive that was?” She smiled like a satisfied woman, but she couldn’t be, at least not completely.

“I like impulsive.” He leaned in for a kiss, but she stopped him with a hand on his bare chest. Could she feel how hard his heart pounded?

“We don’t have time to play.”

He grinned and leaned in, but she didn’t relent.

“If you can’t be good, we can’t play like this again.”

“I’m trying to show you how good I can be.”

“And I’m thinking there are a lot of secluded places ahead of us. This package signed us up for rafting and mountain biking and lots of hiking. Lots of opportunities to do anything that may come to mind.”

She emphasized the word come and his cock thickened. Did he ever have a package deal for her.