Twelve

J axson hopped in his truck and set out down the back road to Cyrus’s place. He’d been in Memphis all morning finishing a project with Blake, then stopped by the hardware store in Holy Mound for a couple of specific items this store carried. Their latest flip was 95 percent complete. Even though it was early afternoon, he was ready to celebrate. He remembered the days when that would involve Kobe steak, Maine lobster, caviar and expensive champagne. Instead, a box of tacos from his favorite food truck occupied the seat beside him. On the floor of the cab was a bottle of wine and a six-pack.

He thought about the irony or maybe serendipity of working with Blake and how different it was from the last time he’d ventured into real estate. In Phoenix he’d been the celebrity endorser of a project that promised great, affordable homes for deserving families. What followed their trusting investments was a travesty equal to all-out theft. Some people lost homes put up as collateral. Others, their life savings. Jaxson had had no idea what was happening until a detective knocked on his door. After finding out, he’d felt horrible about his unknowing participation. He vowed to never again have his name associated with anything without proper and thorough research. Thankfully, that was how Blake liked to do business—everything out in the open and aboveboard.

He turned up the volume on a Willie Jones joint and tapped the wheel in time with the rhythm. Country music had been one of many things that connected him to his grandpa. When Dixon died and Jaxson moved into the house, he rediscovered that love through his grandfather’s old-school collection—Willie Nelson, Charlie Pride, Glen Campbell, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and anything by Johnny and June. There were even a few sounds from the ’80s and ’90s thrown into the mix, probably courtesy of some of the younger men who’d helped Dixon while Jaxson was away. Since returning to Holy Mound, Jaxson had discovered some faves of his own. Willie Jones, with his unique style of country soul, was one of them.

Jaxson pressed on the gas, enjoyed the way his truck tackled and conquered the dirt road. A flash of color caught the corner of his eye. He slowed before turning to check out the movement. Thought about driving across the field to investigate, but the smell of grilled meat and fresh tortillas helped change his mind. He’d take a gander, Dixon-speak, before returning home. Once he’d checked on Genesis.

After pulling in next to the Kia, he reached for the tacos, opened the door and bounded up the steps. The front door was open. He hollered out through the screen.

“Genesis!”

All was quiet inside. No TV. No music. Maybe she was sleeping.

He rapped on the wood. “Genesis!”

Remembering how pain pills made her sleep, he tried the screen and found it unlocked. He walked in.

“Gen, where you at?”

He set the tacos on the trunk in the living room, then continued down the hall. He checked the room to his right, then continued to the end of the hall and the master bedroom. Cyrus’s room. The door was closed. He knocked. No answer. He eased the door open. The presence of Cyrus assailed him. For a moment, he stood there, taking it in. He could almost hear Cyrus’s voice.

“Rest easy, Pops.”

He closed the door and went to the third bedroom. It was empty but looked like where Genesis slept. Jaxson became concerned. Where could she be? He pulled out his phone, about to panic, then realized the obvious. Someone must’ve come to get her. He should have called. Oh, well. Wouldn’t be the first time he’d devoured a taco-truck family meal by himself.

Back outside, he was just about to get in his pickup when he heard the sound of a revving engine. He looked up to see an ATV cutting across Cyrus’s yard. He searched his mind for whose kid this was, and how they’d gotten through the fence. He set the bag on the truck’s hood, then began walking toward the vehicle steadily coming his way. He squinted his eyes as it neared him.

Well, I’ll be damned.

Gen.

She reached and passed him. He turned in full curiosity mode. How was she driving that thing?

She stopped near the steps. He grabbed the bag off the hood and walked over.

“Hey, there.”

“Hey.”

Her greeting was subdued. He let it pass. She reached for her crutch.

“Looks like someone’s doing better.”

“Yeah.” She paused and tapped the hand controls he hadn’t noticed.

“Ah. Nice. Great idea.” He opened the door and helped her out of the vehicle. “Was that you I saw by the pine trees?”

She nodded, then slowly took the steps and crossed the porch.

Puzzled by her mood, Jaxson walked to the other side of his cab, retrieved the beer and the wine, then used those pro footballer hands to expertly carry it all into the house.

Genesis had sat on the living room couch, eyeing him with an expression he couldn’t quite identify. “What’s all that?”

He set everything down on the trunk and sat down, too. He was careful to not encroach on her personal space. She wasn’t being her usual fiery self. Something had happened. Something was on her mind.

“Lunch. I brought enough for you.”

“I appreciate it, but thanks to my first set of DDIs, I’m completely full.”

“Let me guess. The mayors.”

Genesis nodded.

He reached for a beer. “Granville and Hazel finally made you official, huh?”

“I guess.”

“Oh, for sure. That’s what happened. Their coming by is like christening your home. Now you’re a part of the valley clan.”

He pulled out the bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?”

“Not right now.”

“Are you sure? I’m celebrating.”

“What?”

“I recently made my partnership with Blake official.” He unscrewed the cap. “We’re just about finished with our first flip under the new company.”

“Congratulations.”

He stopped, the bottle halfway to his lips.

“You okay?”

She shrugged. “Lot on my mind.”

“Your first time seeing the land since Cyrus passed?”

“Yeah.”

“Remember those pine trees I saw you by? That grove forms the boundaries for our properties on that side. Surprised you were out that far.”

“My Randy radar was on high alert.”

“That explains it. How far did you go?”

“I saw a pond that I didn’t remember. Very peaceful atmosphere and a nice addition to the farm.”

“I noticed it when leasing the land out. Cyrus said it had been dried up for years. I asked if he wanted it filled and restocked, one of many projects we worked on together. It’s kept us supplied with bass and catfish nearly year-round.”

Again, that look. “You fish.”

“Yep. A requirement if you live in the country. Along with the acceptance of DDIs.”

Genesis failed to respond to his attempt at humor. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again.

“Not exactly. I found out something today that was rather upsetting.”

“Want to talk about it?”

She looked at him a long moment, then looked away. “No.”

Jaxson thoughtfully sipped his beer. Sometimes silence was all the room people needed to share what was on their mind. A few seconds went by. Then a few more. The tacos remained untouched.

“The last six months have been hectic,” she said, her eyes to the floor. “My job downsized. After searching unsuccessfully to find new employment, I decided to take a risk and invest in a new business venture. Took the time off to help them get off the ground, and began DoorDashing for a little extra income. The money was supposed to be repaid in thirty days. I’m still waiting for it.”

“What kind of business is it?”

“A restaurant-slash-lounge. A blues music theme featuring live bands on the weekend. The kitchen specializes in wings, offering like more than a dozen different varieties. The concept looked really good on paper. Great corner location. Easy freeway access. Catchy name. I bought into the dream.”

“Is it in Memphis?”

“Little Rock. It’s called BB Wings.”

“A play off of the blues great BB King. Very creative.”

“I think so, too. They chose Little Rock because, unlike in Memphis, there wasn’t another business exactly like it in the city. People who’ve visited have left good reviews. Honestly, I think in time it will catch on. The question is whether the owners can sustain it until that happens.”

“The restaurant industry is one of the toughest markets to break into. I know a few players who stepped into that field thinking their name would bring in easy money. All of their spots closed in less than three years.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I apologize. Those are the facts, but maybe you didn’t need to hear them right now.”

Jaxson wanted to ask how much she’d invested but heard her likely “none of your business” answer float through his mind. He wasn’t a wealthy man, but he wasn’t poor either. If Genesis needed financial help, he’d jump in without hesitation and with no strings attached.

“Do you need money?”

She glanced at him, then away. “I can take care of myself.”

“That’s not what I asked. Life is filled with ups and downs. Everyone needs help now and then.”

“That’s true. Life has a way of working itself out.”

“That’s also true. Thing about it is, you can choose to be a participant or a spectator. The latter tend to go with the flow and react to whatever happens. Participants are creators who shape their own destiny or at the very least give it a damn good try.”

From Genesis, no comment.

“Hey, what’re you doing for the rest of the day?”

She shrugged.

“Why don’t you let me get you out of this house? Take you wherever you want to go. Have you been back to Memphis?”

“Not yet.”

“Would you like me to drive you home?”

She looked him squarely in the eye and smiled. “Actually, I’d like that very much.”

While Genesis exchanged the flannel robe she wore over a maxi for the warm-up top he’d given her, Jaxson wrapped up the uneaten tacos, beer and wine to take with them. Then they hit the road.

Jaxson could tell that something about Genesis and the way she viewed him had shifted, and that the change was likely the reason for her earlier mood. On the way to Memphis, she lightened up, returned to her more playful self. He tuned in to a station playing songs from their high school era, which brought out lots of reminiscing and seat dancing. About halfway to their destination, a song came on that shifted the mood again. A slow-grooving love song that conveyed the sizzling sexual undertones that Jaxson felt between them. He sang along, as if to her. She flirted, subtly, but enough to make him comfortable enough to flirt back. This shifting dynamic happened organically. Effortlessly.

Jaxson’s attraction to Genesis deepened. Being with her was fun and easy.

By the time they reached the condo, kissing the luscious lips that had sung along with those sexy lyrics was the only thing on Jaxson’s mind. As soon as they were inside her place and closed the door, he decided to do something about it.

He kissed her. Then waited. Genesis looked into his eyes, hesitated for only a second and then kissed him back—opened her mouth and slashed her tongue against his lips. What else could he do but welcome the wet tip, to suck her into his mouth and give in to the moment? What was happening felt not only right but inevitable. She was a perfect fit in his arms.

“I want to do more than kiss you,” he whispered, his breath hot and wet against her ear.

She stilled. Jaxson silently cursed himself. He’d gone too far, too fast. “I’m sorry, Gen—”

“Do you have condoms?”

“Yes.”

She stepped back, her look one of daring as she looked him squarely in the eyes. “Then do it.”

He was more than up to the challenge. “Take your clothes off.”

“Let’s go to the bedroom.”

“No, here. Now.”

He pulled the button-down shirt she’d earlier admired over his head, then stepped out of his shoes. His jeans quickly followed. Then a T-shirt and briefs. Watching him strip, Genesis did the same. She pulled off the warm-up top, then slowly eased both spaghetti straps down each arm. Impatient, Jaxson took it from there. He slowly pulled the stretchy fabric down her curvy body, kissing parts of exposed skin along the way. Kneeling put his face directly in line with her thong-covered pussy. He buried his head in its delicious scent, kissed the lips and swept his tongue along the slit. Genesis moaned. Her nails dug into his shoulders.

“Ow.” The moan was low but audible.

He stopped immediately. “You okay?”

“My ankle.”

Jaxson immediately swept her up and walked them to the living room. He laid her on the couch and was about to finish what he’d started when she surprised him by sliding off the cushions and onto her knees.

Oh, shit.

“What about your ankle?”

She reached out and curled her fingers around his hardening dick. “It’s okay if I’m not standing up.”

Stroking the soft skin covering his hardened sex, Genesis winked. She tickled his nuts and smiled when he hissed. His hands sank into her hair, gently coaxing her toward his desire. But...um... Not. Quite. Yet. She placed her hands on each side of him, slid them around to his tight ass and squeezed. His dick bobbed up and down with a mind of its own, stroking her cheek. She licked the hair covering his groin, and the sensitive skin near his thigh.

“Damn, Gen. Got. Damn!”

She nipped the tip of his rock-hard shaft. His fingers held her hair tighter. She sucked him into her mouth, kissing, licking, nibbling his meat. Both hands ran up and down the sides of him while she took him in as far as she could, slowly pulled back until only his tip was between her teeth, then eased her lips back down. His hips began moving to her rhythm. He was definitely picking up what she was putting down. Jaxson was a disciplined man, but Genesis’s mouth was so wet and soft he’d explode if he didn’t stop the madness.

He pulled away, raised her back to the couch and continued what had begun in the hallway. He parted her lips with his fingers, then sucked the sensitive pearl that greeted him into his mouth. She ground her hips against him as he licked and sucked and finger fucked. Mewling sounds escaped her lips as the hips swirled faster and faster.

“Ah!” she whispered, as though surprised to have gotten to this point so quickly. Then...she exploded.

Jaxson prepared for the encore. He strolled to the pile of clothes in the hallway, retrieved a condom, then, after shielding himself, returned to see Genesis’s half-lidded eyes drinking him in. He eased her off the couch.

“Where’s your bedroom?”

She took the lead, walked them down a short hallway to a door on the right. He crawled in bed behind her and reignited the assault by licking his way up her body as he rubbed himself against her. He placed his massive member between her juicy lips, rubbed it against her still-quivering jewel.

“You want this, Gen? You want to feel all this dick I’ve got for you?”

“Yes.”

He eased himself about two inches in. “You want it right now?”

“Uh-huh.” Four inches. “Ooh. Shit.”

“You want me to fuck you?”

“Oh my God, Jaxson.”

She tried to push down on him and deepen the connection. He chuckled, pulled a nipple into his mouth and stroked her pearl, while halfway in.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

“I know.”

He was going crazy, too. Time to take this party to the next level. He repositioned himself, lifted her leg, entered her fully with one long thrust and gave her everything she asked for. He pounded her punanny, at first slow and steady, then deeper and relentless. Her second orgasm was more powerful than the first. A few more thrusts and he joined her and found his release.

Exhausted in the best possible way, Jaxson pulled Genesis against him. He kissed her ear and whispered, “That was amazing.”

She pulled his arm tighter around her. “Yeah.”

Sweaty and satiated, Genesis was asleep within minutes. Jaxson, not so fast. He lay awake gently stroking her arm, thinking back to that last time, the first time they were together. So much had changed. Genesis was going through a lot. He wasn’t a kid anymore. He didn’t want to overthink the moment but for whatever reason felt there was a lot on the line. She was the great-niece of a man he’d admired and respected. She could become his neighbor. Jaxson wasn’t sure she’d be down for a casual relationship and, quite honestly, wasn’t sure he’d want to think about her being with somebody else. There were so many variables, but one thing he knew for sure. He didn’t want what had happened to be a onetime thing. He already wanted to be with her again.