Page 90 of Duke

I MIX THE DRINKS on auto-pilot, my mind still re-playing these past few weeks that have been a blur. When Pops came to, I couldn’t believe it. God gave me another chance to make things right with him. I’ve been so busy finishing last-minute term papers and projects, managing the bar, and then going home and spending time with Pops that this time I didn’t notice when spring started to change to the beginning of summer.

The days are longer and the sound of crickets fill the backwoods at night. Duke’s getting restless and I’m running out of time.

He holds me in his arms, whispering how much he loves me, gliding in and out of me with deep strokes. We cling to each other like our lives are ending, fearing each time might be the last, which is totally crazy cause I know our love is forever.

But something’s shifted in me. I realize I loved him like a girl, not the deep-rooted woman I’ve become. And this woman knows it’s okay to love him and let go. I might not have any other choice. I can’t ask him to stay here living upstairs from my bedridden father, living in a town that haunts him.

And I can’t leave.

Maybe we can go back to the long-distance thing. I’m sure we could make it work for a while. But Pops could live years yet. His other organs are strong. And then what?

“Hey?” his arms thick as trees wrap around my waist. His lips find the back of my neck and I close my eyes savoring this moment.

“Hey. What are you doing behind the counter of my bar?”

“Helping myself to a drink.” He slaps my butt, pouring himself a whiskey.

“Go easy tonight. You are my ride home,” I laugh, getting back to making frozen margaritas for the group of women who just got off work. They are eye-fucking my man something fierce.

It’s Friday and warm enough to open the windows, letting the sound of the music float out into the night.

Car doors slam shut, a steady stream of patrons filing in for happy hour. I just want to forget everything tonight and lose myself in a way I have a thousand times before. Duke’s here. We’re together for now, and I refuse to let tomorrow’s worry, ruin tonight.

I laugh with regulars dancing my way from end to end of the bar for hours, pouring shots and serving food.

Tonight, life is good. Everyone asks about Pops. The tips flow in, while my man watches me with dark, hungry eyes.

“Hey, sugar… what’s your poison?” I ask shifting my weight while bending low, giving him a view of my breasts falling in front of his face.

“You.”

I pour a shot and place it on the bar. He wastes no time grabbing me close, dropping the glass between my breasts. It fits snug, cradled by my natural D’s.

He grabs me, tilting me forward while his open mouth waits for the amber liquid. I gasp, feeling his tongue swipe across my nipples. His head dips into my tank, he nudged the edge of the fabric aside with his tongue, licking me quickly. His hand removes the shot glass, and he backs away slapping a twenty on the bar.

“Thanks. I needed that. We’ll call that a sugary-tit special.”

“Can I get one of those?”

A man neither of us noticed asks, taking his bills out.

“Sure.”

“No.”

We reply in unison.

Duke turns red. I call out, “Tina! We have a customer over here that needs help.” She eyes the man next to me with appreciation. We’ve both seen him in here before. He’s a bit younger than Duke and about as cut.

“What?” I wink, “I know better than to push you… last time I did that I ended up with a—up my …”

He slaps a hand over my mouth, “Don’t. Don’t give the man any more dirty thoughts about you then he already has. It would start a brawl, and we’re having such a good night.”

“No worries mate. I’m more than happy with this one’s sweet tits.” He says winking at Tina’s petite body splayed on top of the bar in front of him. She lifts her shirt and pours his shot down her stomach. I’m mesmerized as he sucks it all up.

My thighs clench. Damn, watching them was hot.

Duke pulls me back in his arms, cock nudging against the small of my back.

“Hey… I need a refill!” One of my regulars shouts playfully.

Grabbing the whole damn bottle, I place it down in front of him. “I’ll see you in a bit.” Grabbing my man’s hand, I lead him to our secret place. My heart aches, at how much I love the man. He’s been so good to Pops and me, becoming a partner I can rely on. I know he’ll cherish me forever but how can I let him now that everything’s changed for me?

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