Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) Read online

  In the bathroom, hanging on the inside of the door, were his and her robes, while an assortment of lubes, massage oils and pot were lined up along the edge of the Jacuzzi. Oh my, if these walls could talk, I murmured to myself, as I stripped off my clothes and tossed them on the floor. Turning the shower to hot, I stepped inside, breathing deeply the steam that rapidly enveloped me. Lingering for what seemed like an eternity, I didn’t want to leave the sanctity of the cleansing water that flowed across my body. It may seem surreal, but I can empathize with date rape victims and their desire to immediately scrub the memory as well as the evidence away. Sadly, I’m on the front end of his forthcoming madness and I still can’t get clean enough. A loud banging on the locked door brought me out of my dream like stupor and back into my present sordid reality.

  “Candice, are you done? I need a shower to wash this God awful smell of your insides off me.”

  Turning off the healing water, I stepped onto the heated tile floor, grabbed the ‘her’ robe and wrapped myself in it before unlocking the door. “Next.”

  Joseph, stripped down to his boxers, was holding an opened wine bottle in one hand and two goblets in the other. “It’s all up to you now. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be out in a few.”

  Grabbing the wine and glasses from his hands, I poured a generous amount. I drank it, and then repeated the process. If this coerced lovemaking scenario was going to happen and I’m damn well sure it was, I deserved to be under the influence of something. Juggling the current men in my life based on what is and what was is daunting. On the one hand, Joseph and I had something, and could very well have something again. He’s got a good pedigree, he’s super smart and he’s a great lover — a little kinky maybe, but still a great lover. That being said, I don’t appreciate being forced and or blackmailed to do something I don’t want to do. By all accounts that's rape. I can, however, make a concerted effort tonight to reconnect with him, emotionally, as well as physically. I’m rationalizing I know, but what other choice do I have? I mean for all I know, D’s banging Victoria’s brains out right now, falling for her just like he did for me. That’s his right mind you, after what I did to him. What am I talking about, what I did to him? I saved him. I put his and Vic’s safety above what I wanted. I wanted him then, I want him now.

  Holding up my hands, I started counting off with my fingers the reasons why it would not work between us. One, he’s in WITSEC. He’ll always be looking over his shoulder. Which leads me to number two, my mom will say no. Not just no, but hell no! Three, he won’t be able to trust me ever again, even if I convince him that at the time it was best for all concerned. Four, D, could never love me for a lifetime, the spoiled brat that I am. While reaching out for reason number five, the opening of the bathroom door interrupted my well-rehearsed arguments to my self.

  “Pour me a glass please, Candice, while I turn on some music and a few other things. I would hate for you to drink alone.”

  “Pandora, Joseph. I would enjoy hearing Sinatra. By the way, I don’t mind pouring you wine, but shouldn’t you stay with liquor? I mean putting wine on Crown may not sit well with you.”

  “Let me be the judge of that. You’re not talking to a girl scout here. I appreciate your concern for my well being, really I do, but I can take care of myself.”

  Sitting down on the bed next to me, wrapped in his robe, Joseph poured his own glass of Pinot over my objections.

  Holding the goblet in his left hand, Joseph began stroking his fingers through my hair with his right. “Candice, what happened to us? We were happy once. We were madly in love.”

  “Times change, Joseph. People change. The more you immersed yourself in the Family business, the less I saw of you. Then when I did see you, it was only for casual conversation and sex, nothing more. Believe it or not, I am worthy of mutual admiration. Getting my Masters in Nursing wasn’t enough. Earning an appointment to become the Director in Risk Management at the All Children’s Hospital wasn’t enough either. Why do you think I moved to Tennessee and attempted to find the ledgers on my own? Because, I knew if they were in D’s possession I could find them. I could prove to my Mother and everyone else, including you, that I have much to contribute to this family whether I choose to or not.”

  Taking the goblet from my hand, Joseph gently pushed me back on the bed. Playfully unwrapping my robe, he pointed to the big screen that had come alive, succinctly starring me. “Now you can watch me making love to you from every angle in the room. Doesn’t the thought of that make you hot?”

  “Truthfully, it unnerves me. Why would you want to watch yourself having sex? I mean you’re already as close as you can get, live and in color.”

  Removing his robe, before sliding on top of me, Joseph continued, “It adds another sensual element, just like the mirrored tile I installed on the ceiling.”

  Massaging my temples with both his thumbs, I closed my eyes, losing myself in the familiar music of Sinatra. Minutes passed, before I felt his lips touch mine, while his tongue darted and probed, leaving in my mouth the taste of expensive whiskey and wine. His hands moved swiftly to my chest, as his lips kissed the nape of my neck. Grabbing, twisting my breasts simultaneously, I felt his hot breath and lips replace his fingers as he kissed and tugged them, one at a time, before pressing them together and taking them into his mouth.

  The results of the little blue pill were evident. His hardness pressed between my thighs hoping to find a wet spot that had sadly failed to materialize. Wrapping my arms around him, I rolled Joseph onto his back and using my hands, guided both my nipples back into his mouth. “There you go; don’t stop,” I directed, while I moved my body up and down his generous package, using the expertise of my gyrating hips to engage him all the more.

  So help me, he does feel good. Yet without protection, he was never going inside of me tonight. That, I am sure would be another argument in itself. Taking matters into my own hands, I slid down the length of his body, before coming to rest on the generous manhood I used to lovingly adore. Enveloping him, I guided him through my lips, barely taking time to breathe, hoping that I could quickly make him explode and appease his lust-driven appetite for the moment.

  Grasping his hands, I placed them where mine had been so that he could hold himself firmly in the soft sleeve of my breasts while my palms slid firmly under his thighs. Using my hands to thrust him upward and forcefully into the oral vacuum of my making was more than enough to take him to the edge. Pressing his perineum with my left forefinger and thumb lifted him over the top, his legs tossing me up and down on the bed as he exploded multiple times into the far recesses of my throat.

  “That was incredible, Candice,” mouthed Joseph, just above a whisper, his legs shaking, the color draining from his face.

  “You’re welcome. I forgot all the fun we used to have making love. Thank you. No arguments please. We need to get dressed. I have to go home.”

  “Wait! You’re not staying the night? I’ll be ready to go again in ten minutes, thirty tops.”

  “Slow remember? We’re taking it slow. What you’ve had is but a small taste of what’s to come if you continue to play by my rules. I’m making a sincere effort here,” I plied, wiping his remnants from my chin, before swiping them across his lips.”

  Taken aback by the taste of him, Joseph quickly regrouped his thoughts. “I got it Candice, we can get as kinky as you want. You can tie me up, spank me, whatever, I’m yours. Just stay. I don’t want you to leave tonight. Give me the chance to do you.”

  “Not tonight, Joseph. This evening was all about you.”

  “Candice, damn you, I want things back the way they were before D started messing with your mind.”

  “I keep telling you, D has nothing to do with it. Sure he was fun, but to me it was nothing more than gamesmanship. For the record, I won. Excuse me; we won. Now get dressed and take me home ... or not. Otherwise, I’ll call a cab. I’m tired. It’s been a long day ... a long, long day.”

  Chapter 12r />
  “Vic, I wanted Candi’s first motorcycle ride to be memorable so I dreamed up an event that would allay her fears, replacing her apprehension of being on the back of my bike with unexpected, unbridled pleasure. Thanks to your desolate, straight Iowa roads I was able to do just that. Dressed in our matching thongs, chaps and raincoats, at least until we got out of town, I used the BOA to pleasure her while she simultaneously pleasured me. Riding along the cornfield defined highway, under a moonlit and starry sky, we were able to mutually climax with no one else the wiser.”

  Oh, my God! Men! “The same ‘boy toy’ you’ve been sharing with me?”

  “Come on, Vic, that’s all you managed to glean from what I just told you? It was exciting to take her mind off the bike and have her focusing solely on her.”

  I laughed. “You focused on her, D. She focused on you.”

  “Whatever, it worked. Not one time on our ride did she ever tell me she was scared. Mission accomplished.”

  “In that case, I want you to recreate her ride with me. I’ve never got off on a motorcycle — a plane maybe, but not a motorcycle. That intrigues me. I deserve to know how you managed to pull it off. Did I say that right? You owe me. Just call it professional courtesy.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “You betcha. I want to experience what Candi felt. I want the chance to feel you while you’re feeling me cruising down the back roads at 50 mph. But I’m not wearing her red thong. I’ve got my own for that.”

  “Vic, you’re twisted.”

  “D, you’re the one that’s twisted. I’m just the pretzel that wants to be entwined with you.”

  “It’s a deal, I’ll never win this argument. Pack all your necessary stuff in the backpack. The rest we’ll ship to your house, along with Candi’s. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy, we’re traveling light. If you run short of anything, we’ll buy it. That’s all I know to tell you. Look at this as an adventure of a lifetime, girlfriend.”

  If we live through it. “By the looks of things already, it’s going to be a fun, fun ride.”

  We slept soundly, spooning most of the night — me in my sweats and Vic in the silks she evidently appreciated. Morning came quickly.

  “Wake up, sleepy head, today we ride.” Rising from the bed, I began packing up my gear.

  “What time is it, D?” I asked, knowing by the looks of things it’s still dark thirty.

  “6:30, girlfriend.”

  “You’re dreaming. It’s still dark outside. Come back to bed … please.”

  “Vic, we ride early, we stop early, long before dark. This schedule works, I promise.”

  “It does until it don’t. I’m the don’t caveat. I am not a morning person.” Why on earth haven’t you figured that out by now?

  “Got it. We’re leaving at eight. That gives you an hour and a half to wake up and get your happy face on. I’m going downstairs for tea. What can I bring you?”

  “Coffee, please. Black, and plenty of it.” Three, maybe four cups tops, to get my act together and put on a happy face for this man I’ve entrusted my life with … for now.

  Chapter 13

  Walking into the gardens, I cut off three red Mr. Lincoln Roses and added them to her breakfast tray. “Here you go, Victoria. A carafe of Josie’s finest blend, along with a freshly made breakfast sandwich and flowers to say how grateful I am you chose to keep me entertained on this long ride home.”

  He can be really sweet sometimes. “I know you care, D. These little things you do mean so much. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Drink up; eat up. I’ll be back again in a few to bring our gear down. Right now I’ve got a few calls to make.”

  It was a little after 8 AM Central Time when I pulled out the sat phone and made a call to Jim, my current baby-sitter in the WITSEC program. It went straight to voice mail. I left a message.

  “Morning Jim, thanks again for your assistance. I’ve probably screwed myself right out of the program. I got it. I’m leaving Calgary this morning and will be back in the states in a few days. I’ll check my messages late tonight to see if you’ve got any news for me. Later.”

  Now, I needed to call the kennel and check on Major, my 105 lb. blond labra-doodle. They’ve been great at taking care of him on short occasions, but never this long. After two rings it went straight to voice mail. Another dead end call, another message to leave.

  “Hi guys, D here. How’s Major? Is he walking you everyday? I’m running behind schedule at the moment. It may be another week before I get back. If you need to reach me, best to send me an email and I’ll call you back within a couple of days. Thanks.”

  Enough with the phone — two calls and two messages, no live people. Emails and texts are totally the future. Making my way up the stairs, I was pleasantly surprised to find Vic adorned in leather carrying on a spirited conversation with Josie.

  “Which way are we going, D? Josie said there’s a really great mineral spa we need to visit in Moose Bone.”

  “Moose Jaw, Vic, I’m pretty sure it’s Moose Jaw,” I chuckled.

  “It’s a bone of some sorts, whatever. I’m giving you a heads up. If we’re going in that direction, we’re stopping.”

  “Honey, it’s Moose Jaw, like the bone. That’s what I said,” offered Josie, almost apologetically.

  “I got it, Josie. We are going that way and if Vic can manage to be ‘Miss Iron Butt’ for a day, we can make it.”

  You just watch me! “I’ll do whatever it takes to be pampered in a spa, D. You say ride, we ride.”

  “We ride.” Giving Josie a hug goodbye, I carried our gear to the bike while Vic worked out the details for Josie to ship the rest to Sioux City. Bringing the bike to life was her cue that I was ready to go. Rushing out the door into the early morning sunshine, Vic looked stunning in black, her long auburn hair tied into a pony tail. “Let me guess, you’ve ridden long distances before?”

  Climbing on behind him, grasping a bulging handful of blue jeans between his chaps as I settled into him, “yep, but not with someone as well packaged as you.”

  “Cute, girlfriend cute.” And with that we were off. The mountains behind us, the route before us passed through endless miles of prairie and rolling hills along the Trans-Canada Highway, a 4800 mile ride that starts in Victoria, BC and ends in St. John’s, NF.

  One hundred and twenty miles into our ride, I felt a distinct tapping on my shoulder.

  My ass is numb and I have to pee, but I won’t be a pansy in his eyes. “How long before we stop, D? My butt is on fire.”

  Laughing, “Iron butt you’re not, Vic. Whiney butt, maybe. We’ll be in Medicine Hat within the hour. Can your pansy ass wait that long or do you want me to pull over now?”

  Shifting my weight from cheek to cheek trying as I might to squeeze off my bladder, I extended a gloved forefinger across his shoulder, pointing forward. Pansy asshole!

  “That’s my girl,” I chuckled, “ride baby ride.” A sign, Welcome to Medicine Hat, home of the world’s largest teepee greeted us at the city limits. After crossing the South Saskatchewan River Bridge, I pulled into a Shell Canada Station to fuel, stretch our legs and clean off just about every species of bug in Alberta from our windshield.

  I breathed a welcome sigh of relief. “Finally, D. Help me off please. My butt is completely numb and I can’t feel my legs.”

  “Gladly Vic, I’m proud of you. You’ve got a great bladder tucked away in there, I might add.”

  “Nope, I do not. I usually have an over active bladder, but now I can’t feel that either.”

  “Walk it off and by all means pee while I fuel and scrape the bug splatter off the windshield. You’re doing great. Do you think you can make it another 300 miles today?”

  “Does that get us to Moose Bone ... Jaw?” Whatever the hell it is. I should be in a good mood. I asked for this ride. Suck it up girl.

  “It does. I promise we’ll stop every hour or so from now on. I just needed to make sure you could deliver o
n your end,” I confessed, eagerly slapping her numb butt, “before I make reservations at the Garden’s Resort.”

  “I’ll make it, big boy. Go ahead and make the reservations right now. Set me up for an hour long massage while you’re at it.”

  Making the room reservations was the easy part. Trying to get Vic scheduled for a massage at a specific time was a little more difficult. I finally convinced the receptionist at the spa to give her a one hour body soak at five o’clock, followed by a one hour massage at six, their last slot of the day. Three hundred miles in five and a half hours can be done easily enough, but we’ll have to limit our sightseeing opportunities.

  Fueled, scraped and cleaned, I brought the bike to life and rumbled up to the front door.

  Pain relievers, I need pain relievers. “D, do you have any Aleve close at hand or should I buy some while we’re here?”

  “Close is a relative term on a bike. Go ahead and buy some, Victoria. Are you hungry? I remember seeing a Tim Horton’s here my last time through — great coffee, awesome donuts and sandwiches. You game?”

  “I am. Let me grab the butt relievers and we’ll be off.”

  Vic is a refined young woman, a little gruff around the edges, but still refined. I didn’t hit on her, wouldn’t have either, because in my mind I’d have never stood a chance. That’s how I remember Candi, too. Had she not almost wiped me out in the drive-thru at Starbucks, I would have never struck up a conversation with her. I’m no catch. Look at me, a little too much belly, a little too many crow’s feet and my hair and beard boasting a few too many shades of grey. Just what do these beautiful women see in me?