Chasing Shade Part 17

'Oh,' she said, feeling quite stupid. But bright pain bled into even brighter pleasure and heat slipped across her skin.

Archie growled.

He did it again and her p.u.s.s.y responded, growing tighter around him.

'I'm going to come,' she said. Her voice didn't sound like her own. It s.h.i.+mmered softly in the still room. It felt as if the only two things moving in the world were the two of them. Betsey swore she could feel the snow swirling outside, falling as swiftly as she was falling. 'Archie '

'Shh...' One, two, three. He laid down lines of fire on her a.s.s. His fingers in her back hole, his c.o.c.k driving into her, the thumping bang of heat and blood in her bottom.

She hung her head. 'Archie ' she said to the pillows.

'Whatever you need, baby,' he said.

Betsey sobbed, let herself go. The o.r.g.a.s.m hit her, her knees dipping a little until she steadied herself. She rode out each sweet flex of pleasure until her ears were ringing, blotting out all other sound but Archie's breathing.

And then his breathing stuttered, stopped for a beat. His hands on her hips gripped her tight, tight enough to hurt a little. He thrust once more and then groaned. Her name on his lips as the o.r.g.a.s.m hit him.

'I love you, Betsey,' he said.

She said nothing. When he pulled free of her, she collapsed, her hair tangled around her face. Her eyes were wet. She hadn't realised.

Archie curled up behind her and pulled her close. 'Did you hear me?'

She could only nod. There was no way she could talk around that lump in her throat.

'You don't have to say anything,' he whispered, holding her close. His fingers sifted through her hair and he smoothed it across her brow.

'I '

'Don't,' he said. 'I know it makes no sense. It probably scares you,' he said. His arms tightened around her. 'It sure scares the f.u.c.k out of me. But I wanted you to know. I just needed you to know. Even if you think I'm bonkers.'

A tear slipped down her cheek. 'I don't think you're bonkers,' she said. 'I think maybe I am.'

'Why's that?' He pulled a sheet up over them. It was cold in the room.

Outside the swirling snow fell. Enough to be pretty, not enough to hinder them getting home. She almost wished it was enough. Another night in this magical motel room cut off from normal life might be just what they needed.

'Because I can't say it back yet,' she said. She pressed her cheek against the warmth of his chest. 'Even though I feel it.'

'No rush, Betsey,' he said.

Betsey felt relief. Because she believed him.

Chapter 21.

Life was normal in a good way, Archie thought. They returned from the city to have quick fast-food dinner and a wonderfully c.r.a.ppy movie on TV. Betsey made popcorn and they ate it. Another movie came on and Archie lost interest. More into the woman in his arms than the terrible plot on the screen. Another wonderfully normal thing happened. He kissed her until she begged him. Then he took her clothes off, spread her out on her gypsy-blanket-clad sofa and drove into her.

It was like coming home, being inside Betsey. It was better than anything he'd ever experienced. It was more than anything he'd ever done with anyone. It felt almost sacred and he was quickly growing addicted.

He took her and he made her come. Then he came. Then he told her he loved her again.

It was all wonderfully normal.

Archie insisted he go to his trailer to sleep. He had to get up earlier than her and, though she appeared happy, she also appeared tired. He knew that d.a.m.n letter was weighing on her. He'd catch her glancing that way every so often.

He kissed her goodnight and shuffled home in the light snow. He looked back at her pink trailer, the warm glow inside, knowing she was in there warm and naked under a big blanket, blush roses on her cheeks. He wanted to turn around and go back, but he didn't want to crowd her. He wanted Betsey to tell him she loved him when she was ready, not because he was.

The whole thing had been fast, but fast was still real. And real was all Archie cared about.

Monday she called at one and said she'd agreed to do a double s.h.i.+ft. The other waitress, Julia, had the flu. Archie was sad he wouldn't see her and laughed at himself. But sadness made him happy because he realised how accustomed he'd become to being with her. Around her. In her.

'Why the long face?' Mr Booth asked as Archie walked past his office with a ladder. The old man stood smoking a fat brown cigar despite the insistent winds.

'Wasn't aware I had one.'

'You look blue. Is it because you don't have a date for Thursday?'

'Thursday?'

'Yeah, Archie, my boy, that would be Thanksgiving.'

Archie blinked. 'd.a.m.n. I didn't even realise. I mean...'

'How time flies when you're falling in love,' Booth said.

Archie blinked again but also couldn't help but smile. 'I don't know what you're talking about, Charlie,' he said.

'Yeah, yeah. I hear ya. Just like if I said anything to Betsey she'd say the same thing.'

Archie nodded. 'Probably.'

'Liars! The both of ya.' Booth laughed, waved a hand at Archie. 'But anyway, the diner has an orphans Thanksgiving. Tony cooks a big meal, diner doesn't open until ten, it's self-serve so the waitresses don't have to work, and all the orphans are welcome. They also serve any customers who might show up, which is rarely any. But sometimes they get a few. You are off, my boy, on Thanksgiving, as everyone should be. The only way I might need you is for an emergency and in that case '

'You'll page me,' Archie said with a smile.

'Yep.'

'Thanks for letting me know, Charlie. I'd better get over to Madeline s.h.i.+p's trailer. She broke her showerhead off. And apparently it's dribbling.'

'Boy, am I glad Betsey brought you to me. You know how to do a lot, son.'

Archie felt a small stab of pride. 'Thanks, Charlie. My dad insisted on teaching me a lot growing up. And what my dad didn't teach me, my uncles did.'

'Lucky you,' Charlie said. 'Lucky me.'

Archie wished he'd be seeing Betsey sooner than after eight, but it was what it was. Neither of them was rich, and working was part of the normality of life. Archie was happy to be experiencing a somewhat normal life.

'Felt a bit cursed before,' he muttered, knocking on Madeline's door. She opened it and then braced herself against the invading wind.

'Hi, Archie.' She stepped back to let him in. 'You know my shower really isn't that high,' she said.

'I know. But working over your head like that is a pain. If I give myself a step or two up, it'll be much easier.'

She didn't need to lead the way. It's not like there was any way to get lost. He moved towards her trailer and caught small glimpses of her life. A picture of her and her husband Tom. He was in uniform. A black band encircled the bottom half of the frame. A dried flower tucked in amongst some candles. He'd heard from other residents that Tom had died in Iraq. Archie's heart flexed in his chest. How sad for her.

In the bathroom he examined the showerhead. The pressure had popped it off. Clearly something had been loose.

'This shouldn't be too hard,' he said.

'Coffee?' she asked from the doorway.

He could smell it. It was rich and dark and would hit the spot, considering it was about thirty-two degrees max outside.

'Sure.'

'Black or...?'

'Two sugars and cream,' he said. 'Or milk...or milk-like product.'

She laughed. 'Coming right up.'

It wasn't until she was standing beneath him in the small shower stall, smiling up at him, that Archie caught on. His stomach bottomed out.

She handed him the mug and he took a sip before handing it back. Madeline set it on the back of the sink.

'Archie...' She trailed a finger down the b.u.t.tons of his s.h.i.+rt.

Mr Booth had warned him that this could happen. And he'd laughed at the old man. He might become the love interest of the trailer park, Charlie said. He'd seen it happen when Frank, his previous handyman, had got sick the first time and his nephew had come to fill in.

'Thanks, Madeline.'

She smiled. He saw the interest in the smile now. She was a pretty woman. Tall and curvy with long dark hair and pale-blue eyes. She had a few freckles spattered across her nose and cheeks. Archie was usually a sucker for freckles. But not now. He only had eyes for Betsey, who had no freckles but did have a birthmark on the right side of her lower back that reminded him of a heart.

How to get out of this with grace? And without hurting Madeline.

'Sorry,' he said, s.h.i.+fting slightly so she had to take a step back in order to let him work. He focused on the showerhead for a moment. Then: 'So are you going to be with family Thursday or are you going to the diner?'

She tried to move forwards again but Archie s.h.i.+fted so he blocked her attempt. 'I'll be with my mom and my sister.'

'Oh, that's nice. I'll be at the diner.' He forced a laugh. 'I'm an orphan. No family to speak of. So I'm going there and of course I'll take Betsey. Or she'll take me.' Another laugh. 'We're dating, you know.' Archie shrugged and began to tape the joint where the showerhead met the water line. 'Not serious yet. But I hope it will be.'

He felt her withdrawing and felt relief. Hopefully he'd pulled that off with just a tiny bit of cla.s.s. 'But it's nice you have family to be with. I hope you have a great day.'

She smiled up at him. There was a little sadness in the smile, but not enough that he felt he'd failed. 'I hope you do too, Archie.' Madeline smiled and ran a hand through her long hair. 'And I hope things work out for you and Betsey. She's a nice girl.'

'She is a nice girl,' he agreed.

He climbed down and accepted the coffee mug again. He talked to Madeline for a while, thinking he might go out to the diner for his evening meal. He could eat some non-canned food and see his nice girl.

He arrived at the diner right before dinner and spotted Betsey bustling around in the back. She saw him, smiled, waved. Archie inhaled deeply as l.u.s.t flared through him. Was it wrong to want to just take this woman home and be with her? Smell her hair and her skin, feel her tight and wet around him?

'Hi there, stranger, what'll it be?'

'What's good?'

She glanced around and then sat in the booth. 'Well, I'm good, but sadly I'm also here until closing.'

'I thought you said eight?'

'Tony needs help closing up. I volunteered.'

He groaned. 'Why, Betsey? Why do you have to be such a nice person?' But he laughed when he said it and b.u.mped her lovely knee beneath the table.

'Because I can't help it.' She sighed. 'So, I'll probably not be seeing you tonight. I'm going to be grumpy and tired and, truly, I'll need to get up early tomorrow for my normal s.h.i.+ft. So...'

'So, take a hike, Archie,' he sighed.

'Now hold on, doesn't absence make the heart grow fonder?' She threaded her fingers through his and even that small contact made him want her.

'Yes! But you've been absent all day.'

She looked worried and he shook his head and squeezed her hand. 'I'm kidding, Betsey. If you need to work late and get up early, I'm a big boy. I'll survive. I won't lie, though, I'll miss you all warm and curled up near me. Even your cold feet.'

She let out a mock cry of horror but quickly grew serious. 'I'm a little nervous,' she said softly.

'I figured. Because me coming over to hang out and maybe watch a little TV after your s.h.i.+ft would be no big deal, but you're pleading working late, up early...all that stuff.'

'Are you mad?'

'No.' He nudged her knee again. Maybe he'd been too intense, too fast.

'Are you sure? Are you telling me the truth?'

'Of course.'

'I just need '

'To step back and take a breath?'

She nodded. Her eyes were s.h.i.+ny and he squeezed her hand again. 'Don't cry, Betsey. I am a big boy. I'm not worried about a night apart. Neither should you be.'