AN ENGAGING TRIP
Pax groaned and cursed incoherently toward Donovan. He had hit a bump in the road while driving eternally toward the half-assed no population town known as Literville. She'd been trying to sleep for the last hour and a half. Pax felt as irate and as irritated as a three-year-old. When are we going to be there? When can we stop? Jesus jumping Christ on a fucking camel, my ass hurts. I have to stretch my legs. Why is he being so mean to me? At the airport in Kansas City, Donovan had secured a SUV, but there were so many potholes in the road that each one rocked her as if they were in a sorry ass old car with no shocks and struts. Donovan was irritated a little himself. He had done most of the driving and was as tired as Pax, but there was no way they could stop until they found Literville. After that, they could find a hotel and crash for a while until they were rested enough to poke around. Pax shot Donovan a dirty look before she sat up in the seat and glanced around at her environment. The sun was shining in on her and nearly killing her sensitive eyes. She grabbed her sunglasses from the dashboard and slipped them on. There was nothing around them but miles of highway and reddish clay bluffs. There was also some funky looking foliage scattered about that was pinkish in color.* Goddamn, this is a weird ass place. Sighing, she stretched her legs and crossed her arms over her chest. She might fall asleep again if her asshole lover didn't hit another pothole in the next fifteen or twenty minutes. She closed her eyes behind her sunglasses again and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep. She didn't know what it was about traveling, but it always seemed to knock her on her ass. THUD. Jesus, another fucking pothole.
Pax sat up suddenly. "Goddamn. I suppose I might as well try to stop sleeping, hadn't I? I think you're hitting those fucking potholes on purpose." She fixed her eyes on him stonily. She didn't care if he could see them or not. The fucker knew she was pissed. "Is that the case, Sweetie," she asked sarcastically.
He glanced at her with a smug little smile on his lips. "Could very well be. Actually, since we're taking roads off the main highway, I have nothing to do with the condition of them. If you'd volunteer to drive for a while, maybe I could get some sleep as well? Perhaps then, I'd be less inclined to go right for the potholes?"
"Fat fucking chance. You don't want me behind the wheel."
Donovan checked for traffic behind him and pulled over to the side of the road. He couldn't drive another second. He had to take a break. Pax said nothing as Donovan put the SUV in park before he climbed outside. She closed her eyes again. Maybe this time I can really sleep. Donovan examined the terrain around him. It seemed as if there was nothing ahead of them but more road, bluffs, and weird pink plants. Although he had seen the name of the town on the map, he began to wonder if Literville existed at all. How damn much further will we have to drive? He walked back toward the SUV and climbed inside. He thought Pax would still be asleep, but she wasn't. She was tempted to get out and stretch her legs a little as well. However, she was too damn tired. She unhooked the seatbelt and yawned dramatically. She leaned her elbow against the headrest and propped her head upon it.
"Please tell me we can stay here for a minute," she grumbled. "I don't want to move for another half hour."
"I never thought I'd hear you whine," he said with a smile. "We can kill some time if you want. I'm in no hurry to start driving right away, but I would like to find this town before it gets dark." She grumbled again, this sounding like another curse. He smiled a little and shook his head. Some things would never change. He worked the seat back as far as it would go to make some extra legroom. He slid his hand into the pocket of his jeans. Good time or not? Sighing, he shrugged his shoulders. What the hell? He reached over and ran his hand gently up and down her arm. "Jonella?" She didn't move a muscle, only mumbled something incoherently that may have been 'hmm?' "I'm sure we're a few hours away from a decent hotel and a nice meal, but I'm getting a little impatient."
What the fuck is he talking about, she wondered when she looked at him. His hand was still gently touching her arm, but there was something he had added to his pinkie finger that hadn't been there a few minutes before. She decided to pretend she didn't see it and was certain he didn't think she did. "What the hell are you talking about, Frank? Goddamn it, I was just getting to sleep." Stealthily, he brought his hand around to grasp hers. His pinkie was visible to them both. She didn't know whether to smack him or jump him right then and there. He promised not to push it. He's pushing, though, and the fucker knows it.
Donovan ran his thumb along the silver band on her finger. "I know you don't want to marry me and I respect that. I love you, Jonella, will you at least agree to come live with me…and maybe we could…ah…be perpetually engaged? I have a real engagement ring this time, not just a cheap piece of silver."
Pax tore her eyes off Donovan's face and fixed them on the ring circling the middle of his pinkie finger. It was a princess cut diamond with two baguette stones on each side. The diamonds were set on a plain white gold band. It was really beautiful and she was more than touched. She was actually pretty fucking chocked up. She slid her left hand from beneath his. "It's beautiful," she said, "but I'm not letting go of the silver. If I can keep it, I'll accept your other ring."
He smiled a little. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She reached for the ring, but he drew his hand back. "Will you let me? Must you have control over everything?"
"Look who the hell is asking," she said with a smirk.
"Damn you, Jonella," he grumbled.
He took hold of her left hand and pulled her around to face him. His lips met hers softly, but the kiss deepened after a few seconds. With his lips still joined with hers [she had no idea how he managed to do shit that he couldn't see], he withdrew his hand from hers and somehow managed to get the ring off his pinkie finger using his other fingers to assist. He didn't break away from her once as he slid the ring onto her finger until it met the silver band. Once the task was complete, his hands moved up to cup her face. His insistent tongue probed her mouth, seeking hers, and entwined with it. God, he couldn't believe she consented to take his ring. It wasn't something he expected in a billion years. She broke the kiss first, drawing away and taking his hands down from her face. Goddamn how fair was it to love like this? It wasn't supposed to happen to her, but here she was, kissing this man she loved, and wearing his fucking engagement ring. She had sworn she would never accept a marriage proposal, but she had taken his ring. Wasn't that the same damn thing? Perpetually engaged indeed. Sneaky sexy assed fucker. He'd tricked her again.
"I think we should hit the road again, especially if we want to make it to our destination before nightfall," he said, a glimmer of mirth sparkling in his eyes.
"You tricked me," she said, astonished.
He cocked his eyebrow curiously. "Did I?" He dragged his seat forward and brought the SUV to life. "You're probably right, but it worked, didn't it?" He smiled at her. "It's okay, I don't expect you to set an immediate wedding date, but June would be nice."
* * *
The sun was just beginning to set when they finally saw the sign for Literville, Missouri [population 560, just as Cody had said]. Pax began to grumble again. Donovan had heard her utter 'it's about damn time' twelve times or more. He wasn't irritated; he actually agreed with her. Hell yes, it was about damn time. He never wanted to see a bluff or a funky pink plant again for the rest of his life. They drove around only a few miles, because if they tooled around after dark, the city constable might haul their big city asses to the clink. They didn't find anything close to a warehouse. Donovan turned around and drove them back toward the largest town within close vicinity. They had passed a motel on their way to Literville. By the time they headed back, both were cranky, hungry, and tired. When they approached the city limits of Napo, Missouri [population 2500], there was only one motor court-type motel and about a dozen convenience stores. They simply hoped there was a vacancy, and their hopes were met with the right answer.
As soon as they entered the room, Pax started stripping. Donovan watched her with a gaped open mouth. She looked back at him with a smile. "I have to take a shower. If I don't, I'm going to die."
He closed the door. "I thought you would have waited until the door was closed. Take your shower; I'm more interested in food. Don't rush, I'll be back soon."
Pax was greedy. She stayed underneath the hot spray of water for as long as she could. She gave not one thought to Donovan's need. Hell, he didn't deserve it after the awful trick he played on her. Eventually, the guilt was too much to handle and she reached out and killed the water. Just outside the room, she heard the television. What the hell would he be watching out here in Nowhere, USA? She came out of the shower, still dripping, and peeked around the door. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle the laughs. Donovan was kicked back on the bed with a gigantic bag of potato chips. She thought they were Lays. Without announcing her appearance, she came out of the bathroom and unceremoniously jumped in the big middle of Donovan, straddling his waist.
"Uh, Jonella," he said as if the wind was knocked out of his lungs. "You're dripping all over me and the bed."
She gazed down at the bag in disgust. "Potato chips, Frank? You brought me fucking potato chips?"
"Not easy to find filet mignon in a town this size. I'm sorry to disappoint," he said with a smile. "Would you move? You're blocking the television."
She turned her head toward the dim screen and saw several muscle bound men slamming each other around a ring. "Jumping Jesus on a fucking camel, Frankie. You are not watching wrestling! Who the hell is that anyway?"
"I don't know…some guy they call the Rock or something," he said.
Donovan groaned again [uh] as Pax leaned over him to grab the remote control. "We cannot have this." She sat up without shifting her position and flicked a button until she found what she wanted. He couldn't see the screen, but he could hear it. She had managed to find an adult channel. "Now that," she said as she bent to kiss him, "is more like it."
The sound of the people on the television was getting to him, tweaking his nerves. Within moments, he began laughing against her lips. She leaned up and looked down at him. "God, Jonella," he said between guffaws, "turn it off. I can't compete!"
"I'm sure you could and would win," she said. "But if you insist, I'll shut it down." She shut off the television, throwing both the remote and the bag of chips onto the floor. After that, her hands began to work the buttons loose on his shirt. "I have to get you out of these clothes before you catch your death."
He shifted his body enough where he could sit up. He leaned on one arm behind him as his other went around her bare waist. "And whose fault is that?"
"I take the blame," she said with a smile. "I'll take all the blame."
She worked the shirt over his shoulders. Her lips immediately went to his bare skin, her teeth nibbling at his flesh, tasting it. As he felt her sliding his shirt down one arm, he worked it free and out of its confines. Once he was free on one side, he helped her with the other. The shirt joined the remote and potato chips on the floor. As her mouth and teeth continued their assault on his shoulder, his hand moved over her hair. Damn her for not drying it first. He loved touching it, plunging his hands into it whenever he kissed or made love to her. It was more difficult like this. Next time. He tried to shift her slightly so he could kiss her, but she wasn't cooperating. Actually, she was beginning to bite him pretty damn hard. She moved, only to flick her tongue over his lips and barely between them. When he tried to press forward, she backed away. She planted her hand firmly in the middle of his chest and pushed him back to the bed. He watched as she slid down his body just the slightest bit to work on the snap and zipper of his jeans. Once opened, she came off his body to lean over him.
Her tongue flicked out and teased his lips again. Her hand, which had been resting firmly against the middle of his chest, began to progress slowly downward. His jeans were tight and damp, making her task difficult, but she managed to slip her hand inside the opening. Her hand fell upon him, not light or loose at all. In fact, she was going at it pretty damn fast and hard. This was done without the benefit of his being unclothed. He reached down and took hold of her arm. She slipped her arm out of his grip and made a 'tsk tsk' sound. What the hell was she doing to him? Her mouth followed the same trail down as her hand a few moments ago, and when she reached the top of his opened jeans, she stopped.
"For this one," she said, "I may need your help."
"Jonella, what the hell…"
"Shh," she hissed and then bit the sensitive flesh of his lower abdomen. "Just help me out here. We'll talk later."
He sat up and helped her rid him of his jeans and briefs. Thank God he had already taken off his shoes. At that point, he was ready to be inside her. He went for her again, but she pushed him back down. Pulling her wet hair over one shoulder, her mouth once again moved from his chest downward. He felt the push of her breath and the hint of her touch. Her tongue fluttered over him with little pressure. She heard his sharp intake of breath and frustrated growl when she moved away.
"Jonella," he called harshly.
"Shh," she hissed again as she ran her tongue from one end to the other. "What was it you told me? Just shut up," she said softly. "Shut…up."
She slid her body back up the length of his and she left a trail of nibbling bites along the way. When she was face to face with him again, she looked down into his dark eyes. They seemingly asked what are you doing to me? She smiled down at him, wondering if she should let him kiss her or make him suffer. She knew she wouldn't let him touch her, not just yet. Without taking her eyes off his, her hand moved back down, where her caress had gone from fast and hard to slow and loose. She wanted to see the look on his face as he was experiencing a different kind of torture. His lips were drawn into a snarl and his teeth were clenched. Every few seconds, he took in sharp, hissing breaths. She smiled a little, she had heard this many, many times. She leaned down just a little and he leaned up toward her, literally demanding with his eyes that she accept his kiss. Instead of giving him what he wanted, she teased him again, just flicking her tongue in and out. When he reached for her, she would increase the pressure of her caress and he'd lose his strength just a little, falling back to the bed. Snarl/hiss, snarl/hiss.
"I know you're not going to beg. A man like you won't, he doesn't need to," she whispered as she flicked her tongue over his parted lips, listening to snarl/hiss, snarl/hiss. "I can feel you against my hand. If I don't stop, the game ends right here, doesn't it? Well, baby, I think we need to celebrate, don't you? Hmm…right now, are you rethinking the perpetual engagement thing? Are you sure you want to live with this…perpetually?" He said nothing. Snarl/hiss. Snarl/hiss. "Sure you do. I'm wearing your rings." She flicked her tongue out again. "This may be our last night together like this for a while. I do want to enjoy it. Don't you?" Snarl/hiss and an imperceptible sound [maybe uh huh]. She moved her hand off him and he was finally able to breathe normally. "Despite what I just did, Frankie, I do love you."
Pax finally leaned down enough and allowed him to give her the kiss he wanted. It was hungry, deep, and possessive. He ached to take control, to be inside her, but she still wasn't giving over to him. She broke the kiss after a few breath-taking moments and moved to straddle him again. She settled herself right against him and he growled out her name again. If she moved a half-inch either way, he could thrust into her and end this once and for all. However, she knew this and wouldn't budge. Her hands moved up from his chest to his face. She gazed down at him, eating up his desire filled eyes.
"Tell me you love me," she said.
His hands came up to her waist. "Jonella, you know I do," he said.
"I know, but say it. Say it before I make love to you."
"I love you," he said, his hands drifting over to her breasts.
"I love you, too," she whispered.
She raised her body the slightest bit and slid him inside her. Laying her body directly over him, she grabbed onto his shoulders as his hands grasped her buttocks. Any other time, she might have kept the moves slow and easy. Tonight wasn't the night. Donovan dug his fingers into her flesh, nearly slamming her body against his. She had teased and held out on him too long. Her movements began to match his. In relative short order, her body quaked against his and her movements stopped for the briefest of moments. She cried out just a little and he urged her on. Of course, it didn't take much urging at all.
"Uh God," she moaned.
Pax released her hold on his body and arched hers up and back. She anchored herself a bit more firmly by placing the palms of her hands onto the solid muscle of his abdomen. She moved against him harder and faster, not pausing even when she felt climax after climax. She looked down at Donovan's face. Oh, he was fighting it so hard. His face was set and determined, he kept a steady snarl/hiss with each thrust. In. Out. Up. Down. Oh, he fought and fought and fought. He had never liked giving up, even in bed. Ah, but eventually all battles must come to an end. With one final thrust and an almost tortured groan, his body tensed and ceased all movement. She collapsed on top of him, her cheek against his chest.
"Mmm. I can't believe you did this to me," he said, his voice low and exhausted.
"And you think you know me," she asked, her voice muffled against him.
He chuckled. "Okay, I'll amend it. I can believe you did this. Damn it, Jonella, there are certain buttons I hope you never stop pushing."
She kissed his chest. "I'm sure there are many that I won't. When all the blood rushes back to your brain, go to sleep. We have a buttload of shit to do tomorrow."
"Who's the lead agent here," he asked, amused.
"Last I checked, Agent Donovan, it was I. Go to sleep, tomorrow we're going to find some food. The only lays I want are in bed."
____________________
To be continued…
*A/N: Once while driving from Kansas City, Missouri back home, all I saw on either side of the road was red bluffs and these funky looking pinkish bushes. I had no idea what they were then and I have no idea what they are now. If someone does, please tell me! All I know is that I got soooooo sick of seeing them! HA!