Unexpected Sting Read online

  Nana was hugging someone seated at the kitchen table. “Stiila, come and meet my grandson.”

  Arthur looked at her, and she was aware of her tank top, filthy jeans, and work boots. “We have met.”

  Chapter Five

  Stinger looked at the amusement in his eyes, and she went to sit at the chair set out for her. “Nice to see you again, Arthur.”

  Nana Baker scowled. “That isn’t an appropriate greeting, Stinger.”

  She paused with her hand on the back of the chair. “You are right, Nana. Sorry.”

  She walked over to Arthur, and he got to his feet. She stuck out her scratched-up hand, and he extended his to engulf it. “I am Stiila Rosos, pleased to meet you, Arthur.”

  He nodded. “Arthur Orion, at your service. What happened to your hands?”

  “I forgot I had gloves.”

  She glanced at Nana, who was watching them with a delighted smile. “This is the guy you have been trying to catch for me for the last seven years?”

  Nana grinned. “Yeah. You two look so cute together. I will get the lemonade.”

  Arthur leaned down and murmured, “You are the bookish little girl that my grandma helped raise?”

  “Yup. I was born here. My mom is close with her family, but Nana offered to help her during the pregnancy when everyone was busy with other things. So, I was born here, raised here, and my mom just lives up the road a few farms.”

  He looked down at her. “Damn.”

  She smiled and went to sit in her seat.

  Nana brought out her cart and started to unload the food onto the kitchen table. Stiila sat with her hands at the edge of the table, and Arthur looked like he was struggling with something.

  “Stinger, you are working. You go ahead.”

  “Thanks, Nana.” She served up a healthy heaping of the macaroni soup, covered it with the shredded cheese, took two large sandwiches and a glass of lemonade.

  She got to work eating, and Arthur frowned. “Stiila, why are you here?”

  Nana smiled. “Stiila has always come every month or two since her mom and she moved down the road, and she helps me with the maintenance on the house. She built the chair you are sitting on, the table we are eating on, and she has done most of the fencing on the property. She’s a tough little girl.”

  She ate quickly and quietly while Nana was talking. Nana chattered on about all the things she had built or fixed around the farm, including the maintenance on the car and trucks.

  When she was done, she finished her lemonade, and Nana pierced her with a glare when she gathered her dishes. “Where are you going, Stiila?”

  “Um, I am going to put my dishes in the sink and get back to work? The sink is on my list, so I need to grab my belt.”

  “I made dessert.”

  Stinger thudded back into her seat. “Yes, Nana.”

  Nana continued talking about her to Arthur, and Stiila turned redder and redder as she waited for dessert that had been ordered.

  Stiila finally said, “Nana, Arthur and I have met at Nessa’s event. We met, we danced, we talked. He doesn’t need to know about my issues in kindergarten.”

  Nana waved that off. “He’s paying attention, so I am going to keep talking. He needs to know you have always been kind and courageous.”

  Stiila looked at her. “Why? Why does he need to know that?”

  “Well, he tends to attract slutty women who just want him for sex. He might enjoy it, but I am not going to get any great-grandkids that way.”

  Stiila looked at her. “That is exactly the way you get them; they would just all have different mothers.”

  Nana scowled. “Those kinds of women are not what I want for him; sleeping with a guy on the first meeting is so low class.”

  She nodded. “Great. Of course. Please excuse me.”

  She got up and brought her dishes to the sink, looked at the pipe that bore obvious recent signs of being loosened, and she tightened it with her hand. Nana liked to make a lot of the interior chores up just to get Stiila to spend more time with her.

  She fished the list out of her pocket and crossed off the pipe. Now, she had to check the loose shingles.

  She walked through the dining room and heard the scrape of a chair. She heard the footfalls after her when she was putting on her tool belt.

  “She didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” He was standing close to her as she finished with the click.

  “She really did. My mom got me out of here because the snipes about being a whore with a child out of wedlock got to be a bit much. It’s fine. I will finish the list and then make sure when I come back that we won’t run into each other.”

  He asked and followed her as she went to get the ladder. “You will still be back to come work for her?”

  “Of course. You don’t give up on people just because they disappoint you or you them. When she lashes out like that, she is working through something in her own life. Justifying her own actions. It just means I won’t stay for movie night anymore.”

  She set the ladder against the roof and started climbing. The shingles that were loose were genuinely worn. She removed them, sighed, and pulled replacements from the storage shed via a small portal.

  She used a tube of tar-based adhesive, set the new shingles in place, and used wide-headed nails to tack them into place. She set the shingles back in place, and when everything was back in normal shape, she got up and slid down the ladder, driving a splinter into her palm. She winced. “Of course.”

  The soap and pitcher were gone, so she had to knock at the main door.

  She looked at Nana’s tense face. “Nana, I need to use a bathroom sink and a first aid kit.”

  “Take off your belt.”

  “I can’t, Nana. The splinter is through my palm and one finger.”

  Her elder’s eyes went wide, and she was hauled by her wrist through the house to the kitchen counter. A basin of warm water, the first aide kit, and tweezers were at the ready.

  “I didn’t know that you and Arthur had... met. He has a strong pull on women.” The hand had been soaking for a minute when Nana looked at her.

  Stiila snorted. “That he does, but I had used him as a dumping ground for a lot of lust; it was my responsibility to help relieve some of the results.”

  Stiila was surprised at the swat to the head she got. “Arthur can take it, and what did I tell you about obligation sex?”

  “That I don’t get anything out of it?”

  “Precisely.” Nana put on her reading glasses and went to the tweezers soaking in rubbing alcohol.

  Stiila let her hand relax as the long path of the splinter was traced back with the draw.

  She held her breath as the wood came out, and there was only one dark point near her middle finger.

  “So, did you?” Nana asked her. She sterilized a blade and picked open the skin at the far end of the wound and started to tease the splinter out.

  “Did I what?”

  “Get something out of it?”

  “Are you asking if I am pregnant because that is definitely not the case. Safety first.” She watched the small tip of wood come out of her finger.

  Nana grumped and finished the wound treatment before applying a wound cream and wrapping her hand. “The one time a little casual sex might have been to my benefit and you remember to be careful.”

  “Well, I didn’t want to be called a slut.”

  Nana winced. “I am sorry about that. I am very protective of Arthur; he’s a good boy. His father is a good man. His mother is a good woman, and they raised an excellent son.”

  “So, he was pretty far from your mate’s situation.”

  “That asshole. He can rot in the hells if I have anything to say about it.” Nana finished wrapping her hand.

  A loud noise crossed the landscape.

  “What was that?”

  “Oh, Arthur is clearing some land for me.” She smiled. “He has different chores. You could wear gloves and saw some of the tree
s up.”

  Stiila looked at her list and the words, Saw up deadfall. “Right. I am guessing he has the truck.”

  “He does. Take the quad.”

  She nodded and pulled on her work gloves. She got the keys for the quad and headed out, watching the deadfall make its way completely to the ground. At least she could find him.

  She drove to the first drop and got the chainsaw, cutting the limbs off before marking and cutting the dead tree into usable chunks. She paused when something got her attention out of the corner of her eye and turned off the saw. The ear protection and helmet came off. “Hey, Arthur.”

  He walked up to her and lifted her onto the solid stump she was working on, and he kissed her. He slid his hands over her back, and she moaned as he pressed her against him.

  They both smelled sweaty, but his scent had a certain something to it that pulled her in and made her want to burrow close. Her tongue stroked his, and he reciprocated, and there was a thud when he pressed her against a tree. Her shirt pulled up and her sports bra unzipped under his careful fingers. She made a small sound when her left breast was cupped carefully and his thumb stroked her.

  With her pinned against the tree and his waist keeping her legs in place, he used both hands on her breasts and kept the kiss going as it increased in intensity. When he moved a hand to her waist, she inhaled and broke their kiss. “That is going to be a lot of undressing.”

  He grinned with his forehead pressed to hers. “May I take the lead?”

  She laughed. “You may.”

  He unsnapped and unzipped her pants, lowered them slightly, and saw the silk and lace that she favoured. “That is going to be the end of me.”

  “Defeated by panties? I thought you were made of sterner stuff.” She smiled, and the smile faded when he pulled her to him again and slid his hand into her pants, caressing the line where skin met lace.

  She moaned and rocked her hips against his. His fingers trailed around to below her navel and slid downward until he could ease his fingers between her thighs. He growled when he found her wet and his reception slick and hot. She blushed when he raised his head. “How did that happen?”

  “Um, I really like lumberjacking?”

  He grinned. “Do you, now? I thought you didn’t have any fetishes.”

  “It’s more of a fascination. Sort of a hobby.”

  He bent and ran his tongue over both of her nipples in turn. “I am developing a bit of a fetish myself.”

  “For what?”

  “Fit brunettes with fun birthmarks.”

  “Sounds like a niche fetish. You mean like cartoon characters?”

  “I am a fan of ancient astrology.” He ran his hand over her thigh where the mark was located.

  “I don’t even want to know if you have the belt marking.”

  He grinned. “That is for the second date.”

  He turned her carefully, kissing her lower back as he slid her jeans down her thighs. She caught on to where this was going and braced herself against a nearby oak. He made a happy sound, and there was a rustling of fabric followed by the crinkle of plastic. She looked over to see him rolling the condom on. She was surprised.

  He met her surprised gaze. “You were very specific. This will be standard until you tell me otherwise. My grandmother can wait.”

  “Now that is foreplay.”

  He grinned and stepped forward, she felt the earth move under her feet, but he held her hips and kept her balanced as she elevated about six inches on stone blocks.

  He lined up with her, and the prodding behind her eased in, and he sighed. “That’s better.” He slid in further. “Oh, that’s amazing.”

  She closed her eyes and clutched the tree in front of her as he slid inward. She groaned when he pressed in completely, pressing back at him to verify that it was as deep as he could go. She wanted him all the way.

  He gripped her hips and eased out of her before sliding in with a thud that made her toes curl. He gritted his teeth. “Let me know if it is too much.”

  “I want too much. I want more.” Those were apparently the magic words, and he started thrusting into her hard and fast with the breeze not even having a chance to get between them as he moved.

  She could hear her breathing, his breathing, and the slap of their bodies colliding, as well as the rustle of leaves in the distance. Her breasts swung with every impact, and when he reached forward, she dug her nails into the tree as he caressed them gently in a strange counterpoint to the hard pounding inside her. She whimpered and bucked as her climax hit, her body clutched at him, but he continued moving until he thrust hard against her and gave a hoarse shout.

  He paused and slowly collapsed against her back, licking the sweat off her neck. He murmured, “I want more.”

  She turned her head toward him. “You have another condom on you?”

  He chuckled. “Five more left.”

  “Let me get to my boot laces, and you can debate if you are interested in a second round.”

  She summoned a tarp from the trailer on the quad and dropped it over a nearby wide stump. “When you are ready, have a seat.”

  He chuckled and shifted inside her. “What constitutes ready?”

  “Good start. Change the condom and have a seat. I will be with you as soon as I am completely naked.”

  She sighed as he withdrew, but her laces came apart, and she peeled everything off from the waist down before she let her sports bra slide off while she pried her tank off over her head. She unclipped her ponytail and walked up to where he was waiting. His eyes gleamed, and she stroked his erection through the condom. She braced one hand on his shoulder and eased herself over him. When he was inside her, her breathing was fast, and she licked her lips slowly before she met his gaze. His eyes were hot.

  He leaned forward, she leaned back, and he licked at her neck and jaw before burrowing his mouth against her breasts. He supported her and pushed up with his hips. She bucked onto him, using her kneeling position for leverage. She gripped his arms for balance, and they moved together, gasping and grunting as the sun blazed overhead. She threaded her fingers through his hair and pulled his head back, kissing him as they continued to move together until he growled and shifted position until she was on her back, a leg draped over his arm, while his other arm pulled her toward him. She looked up at his intense face and held him as he drove into her until she arched and moaned low. He thrust into her, and his body shook as a low rumble came from his throat.

  He held himself inside her as he trembled before he withdrew, removed the condom, and returned to her, gathering her against him. He held her close, and the temperature started dropping.

  She shivered. “Was it this cool when we came out here?”

  He shook his head. “No, it cooled down as we heated up.”

  She looked back toward the house. “Oh, no. That is a lot of snow. We have to get going,”

  “Why? He nuzzled the curve of her neck that he seemed to find fascinating.

  “Because there is already an inch of snow on the ground, and the road here sucks when it comes. We have to get back.”

  He snapped his fingers, and her clothing was back on her. She hissed and punched him in the ribs.

  “What was that for?”

  “An inch of snow in my bra and panties.” She got up and grabbed the tarp, hauling it to the quad and tossing the chainsaw and cut wood on top. The rumble of the motor was distracting considering her previous activities, but Nana Baker had rules, and they all circled around, not leaving a job undone. She had sawn the wood, so she would stack it.

  She put the wood on the pile, set the chainsaw back in the shed, covered the quad with the tarp, and hung the keys inside the house. “I am making a run for it, Nana.”

  “Yes, Stinger. Are you coming back soon?” Nana Baker reached out and plucked a leaf from her hair.

  “Um, I don’t know. I have to head out and check on some of the businesses. They do better when they don’t know I am coming.”
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  Nana Baker scowled. “I want great-grandbabies.”

  Stiila was at sea. “And?”

  “I want them out of you.” Nana Baker frowned. “You are a good girl; why are you toying with Arthur like this?”

  Arthur was leaning in the hallway with his arms crossed over his chest. Stinger cleared her throat. “Because he is such a fun toy? Oh, ask my mom. My father showed up, so they are getting reacquainted.”

  “What about that cat shifter at your house?”

  “Mom still insists he is a cat. You can ask her about that delusion. I have to make a run for it before the snow blocks the road.” She handed the list back to Nana Baker. “I got to nearly everything. Wait. When did that show up?”

  Nana held up the telescope she had been casually palming. “When you were against the tree.”

  “Nana, I should not have gotten you that telescope.”

  “But, you did, and I saw what I saw.”

  “No grandbabies.” She waved at Arthur. “See you later.”

  He looked startled, but she turned and bolted. He might not take the snow seriously, but she did, and she knew where she could hole up while it lasted.

  She got into her car, buckled up, and peeled out.

  * * * *

  Arthur looked after her and sighed. “Why did she take off like that?”

  “She knows how the road gets. The forecast says that the city is going to be locked in tomorrow. If she doesn’t get back there, she isn’t going to be able to leave.”

  He frowned. “Why is she so averse to children? Most magic users are all for it.”

  “Ah, sweet little Arthur, she was born out of wedlock or binding or even handfasting with no male in sight. Her family accepts a lot, but it confused them, and their early reactions were not as kind as one would have hoped. She came here, and this is where Stinger drew her first breath. I saw that mark on her and knew in that instant that you two were fated.”

  Arthur sighed. “I was seven. You would call and talk to dad, and there was a crying baby in the background.”

  “Ah, you remember that?”

  He chuckled. “My mom would laugh and say she sounded delicious. Dad said she sounded angry.”