Page 32 of Under the Influence

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Just outside of Tumbling Rock, I pull my SUV to the side of the dark road. Duke comes rolling up, justifiably worried. I stroke his cheeks, chilled by riding at night.

My lips press against his as I offer him a final kiss before we’re apart again.

“I needed a last taste,” I explain over his engine’s rumble.

Though Duke grins at my affection, he clearly worries about me being out so late. I force myself back inside my SUV and finish the ride home. Duke tails me until I’m nearly at the homestead. Watching him disappear into the night, I soothe my aching heart with promises of seeing him again soon.

Though most of the homestead homes are dark at this late hour, the porch light remains on at my house.

I tiptoe to my room, hoping Pa-Donovan and Ma-Journey don’t ambush me with a concerned parent talk.

Fortunately, they let me be. Before I strip out of my clothes, I text Duke to say I’m home safe. He replies minutes later, sharing how he’s about to step into his shower and deal with missing me.

I decide to find relief myself. Under the hot water, my fingers fix the first level of lust worked up by Duke. But it’s not enough.

I eventually drop onto my mattress, damp and unsatisfied. Reaching for my shirt, I inhale Duke’s scent and dig out my vibrator from the bedside drawer.

No amount of sex toys can soothe what one particular man set on fire inside my body. I finally give up and rest my head on his shirt. Closing my eyes, I see Duke in front of me. He smiled a lot tonight. His interest felt more obvious. I think I fell in love with him during dinner when he wiped sauce from my mouth in a sexy yet casual way.

No man has ever owned my personal space like Duke does. I’m usually so territorial. I don’t trust anyone besides family to get too close. With Duke, everything has clicked.

After sleeping later than normal, I awake to find a quiet house. My phone is filled with texts. Ma-Journey asks if we can talk after my shopping trip. Pa-Donovan says he missed me last night. Tuesday asks if my cherry remains a burden or if I’ve broken free of its grip. Duke wishes me good luck shopping today.

I drag a pair of shorts and a loose shirt from my dresser before stumbling out of my room. No one is around, though fresh donuts rest on the counter.

Peering out the back shades, I find Otto and Betty on the back porch. He’s in only his jeans. She’s in high-waisted pants and a red-and-white striped tank. Betty sits on the table facing him with her feet resting on the arms of his chair.

They’re listening to Horrorpops while she combs his long golden beard to prepare for a trim.

“Hey, when did you get in last night?” Otto asks when I bring my donut and coffee to the back deck table.

“Around two.”

“That’s too late to be driving around on your own.”

“I went to Dunphey on a date.”

Otto snorts. “With that dork?”

“He’s a very nice man who enjoys working with numbers.”

“This guy sure likes to give you hickeys,” Otto snarls before finding his smile for Betty. “We should round up someone good for Edith.”

“No,” I say instantly. “I asked you to find me someone last year and you were like, ‘I ain’t helping a guy bang my baby sister.’ Well now I have a boyfriend, so don’t you go ruining things with your meddling.”

“A boyfriend, huh?” Otto says and rubs at his beard like he’s the most devious ZZ Top member. “Is that what you’re calling him now?”

Ignoring my brother’s attempt to stir up trouble, I ask Betty, “Are you coming dress shopping with us?”

“No, just pick whatever for me.”

“Why can’t you come along?”

“Because I’m doing something with a friend, and she cries when I tell her no. But if you have another get-together with Val’s dream girl, I’ll make sure to be there.”

Nibbling at the donut, I think about the day before me. I’m curious about Duke’s daughters, but I’m afraid to make a bad impression.

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