The Lucky Five - By Arow Jones Page 0,56

on his brow. I can tell he’s holding back. I lift my hips to him. He thrusts himself into me.

“So good, Sugar.” My hands move down his back until I’m gripping his ass. He hisses as I dig my nails into his skin. I can feel myself clenching against him. It’s a sweet invasion driving me to the brink. “Come with me.” My body can’t help but respond. In and out, he plows me over the edge, rocking into my orgasm, groaning out his own release.

We lay there for a long time, relishing in one another’s arms. JT traces patterns on my arm. I want to ask him about the ceremony. I could have sworn he told me he loved me. I want to tell him I love him with all my being. “JT, I…“ The trill of my phone interrupts me. I want to ignore it but my gut tells me to answer. I roll away from JT to pick up my phone.

I recognize the number. Nick. Of all the moments to interrupt this is not the time. I want to throw my phone over the edge of the bluff and say ‘oops’ but that would be irresponsible and stupid. So, I do the next stupidest thing, I answer.

“Why are you calling me? I don’t have time for…”

“Oh darlin’ you will make time for me.” The sweetness of his voice is like a cod liver oil sliding down my throat. I haven’t told JT about the threatening text messages Nick has been sending me. Somehow I thought after we married I could tell Nick the deed was done and he would have no choice but to slither away. Then, I realize, we haven’t formally told anyone about us. El said she was planning on putting out an announcement in the paper next week. Which means Nick doesn’t know yet.

“Again, why are you calling me? I don’t have time for you. I have things to do.” His evil laugh turns my blood cold.

“Fuck your horse training. You and I have unfinished business. You haven’t been answering my calls or my text messages. What’s wrong, cold feet? You remember what I told you didn’t you? After today you will.”

“I don’t have to listen to your bullshit. Stop calling me!” I’m shaking with anger. Instead of hanging up the masochist in me stays on the line, waiting for the next slap in the face remark. JT wrapped the blanket around me while he got dressed. He’s looking at me with worried eyes wondering what is going on.

“You will back off little girl or your barn won’t be the only thing that goes up in smoke,” he chuckles.

JT pries the phone from my grip.

I’m shaking so hard, furious at myself for answering his call. I just wanted to tell him off and warn him to leave me alone. In the distance I see a plume of smoke. No! My heart sinks. I scramble to get my clothes on, praying that smoke is a burn pile and not my barn. One barn is the source of my income. The other houses my family memories. Both are too important to lose.

Twenty Six

“You listen and listen real good asshole. If you go anywhere near Lily again. I will make your life a living hell.”

“Fuck you, you greedy fucking Tanner. The land is where the money is and don’t pretend you don’t know that. It’s just like you told Blanche. You’re just using that little bitch! As soon as you get what you want you’ll toss her out like the piece of garbage she came from.” I hadn’t stepped away from Lily. Her face goes white. She heard every word. Before I can stop her she is hopping on Five, galloping down the path. My eyes scan the horizon spotting the column of smoke coming from a burning building in the distance. Anger burns in my gut.

“I will fucking end you, do you hear me.” The laughter dies with a click. This guy thinks he can bully Lily into letting go of me. A part of me is terrified he’s convinced her. I follow after her, galloping down the same path.

I can smell the fire in the air as I near the barn. It’s the barn where we play poker and it’s completely engulfed in flames.

I jump off my horse, frantically looking for any horses that might be trapped then I remember the only horses she kept in this barn are the two we rode to the