To Make You Feel My Love (14 page)

“Man, get in the damn truck. Leave your sister alone, for god’s sake. She’s got better sense then you, dumbass.” Logan pushed Dusty toward the truck, shaking his head.

Logan helped Alana climb up into the backseat of Dusty’s pick-up before climbing in the backseat beside her. Pulling her close, he tucked her under his arm and kissed her on the top of the head. She smiled up at him, making his stomach shudder. Such a strange feeling he’d never experienced before. He joined the military at eighteen. So much of his life he spent worrying about survival, he had never taken the time to just relax and enjoy. He and Alana were alike in so many ways. Both concerned with their careers, never finding time for enjoyment. They needed each other, he was sure of that now. Feeling a weight lifted from his shoulders in her presence, he knew at that moment he was going to make some changes in his life, and she was going to be part of it.

“Hey, where’d you go?” she whispered.

“Nowhere, angel,” he sighed. “I’m right where I belong,” he smiled at her.

“Ditto,” she said, smiling back.

The sun was still out when they pulled up at Becky’s cousin’s, by a huge lake. Pick-ups and four by four SUV’s were already circling the large fire pit. Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night” was blaring from large speakers on top of a black Ford F-250.

“That’s Carter over there. Come on, I’ll introduce you,” Becky said, pointing to the F-250 and jumping down from the cab of the truck.

Carter Dawson was a tall man, with light brown hair and eyes the color of Becky’s. He was gorgeous, with huge muscles, and a smile that could make you forget where you were. Approaching them with a smile on his face as they climbed out of the truck, he met Becky with a hug.

“Hey cuz. Glad you could make it,” he said, glancing to the others.

“You know I can’t stay outta the country for long,” she said, hugging him back. “I want you to meet my friends,” she said, making introductions. “You remember my friend from work, Alana? This is her boyfriend Logan, and this here handsome fella is my
good
friend, Dusty Richards.”

He shook each one of their hands, paying particular attention to Dusty. “Well, it’s good to have you here. Any friends of my cousin’s here are friends of mine,” he said, turning back to Becky. “We have the ATV’s out by the mud pits if any of you want to get muddy cuz. Or, just go for a trail ride.”

“Oh, hell yeah!” she said, pumping her arms in the air. “Hey, you gonna be singing tonight?”

“I brought the old six string, we’ll see how rowdy this bunch gets,” he chuckled. “You guys help yourselves and have fun,” he said, sauntering away.

“He has the voice of Elvis. He plays at some of the local bars in town, but we can’t get him to go professional at all. He says it takes the fun out of it, and he’d rather be a honky tonk star.” Becky laughed, rolling her eyes. “I hope he sings tonight. You won’t believe your ears.”

“Me too,” Alana said, still watching him walk away.

“You see something you like, darlin’?” Logan whispered sarcastically in her ear.

“I’m not blind, Logan, he’s a nice looking guy,” she snapped back.

“Oh, it’s like that huh?” he responded, raising his eyebrows.

Realizing what can of worms she just opened, she tried to rectify the situation.

“Babe, I didn’t mean it that way. There is no man that can compete with you,” she said, kissing him on the mouth trying to take his mind off the conversation.

“Alana, I know what you’re doing,” he murmured in her mouth.

“Is it working?” she smiled.

“I don’t think so, but keep trying.” He smiled back, pulling her closer to him.

“Come on, let’s go for a trail ride before it gets too dark,” Becky said, tugging on Alana and Logan’s arm.

Leading them to the mud pits, Becky pointed out to the dock on the lake. A wooden structure with a blue tin roof covered a white inland boat with dark blue stripes. The lake was beautiful with cypress trees growing from the water. Wrought iron chairs and small tables were placed around the edge of the dock. Lush green grass grew around the edges of the water. It was a sight to behold.

Walking through a clearing in the trees, they found the mud pits. ATV’s of every color were whizzing by, the noise almost deafening. A large pool of water was in the middle of a variety of different sized dirt hills. Riders were splashing through the water and sailing through the air as they jumped the hills, landing in the mud with a splatter.

“You guys ready to ride?” Becky asked making her way to several red ATV’s sitting to the side, one with a small green cooler strapped to it. “There are hundreds of miles of trails through these woods.”

“Hell yeah!!” Dusty answered with a childlike grin.

“Well mount up, boys!” she smiled back. “We’ll double up if that’s alright?”

“As long as I get to drive, that’s fine with me,” Alana answered, looking up at Logan.

Logan pulled her up against him speaking in her ear, “I’d love to have your fine little ass plastered up against my crotch, angel.”

“You’re just wicked today!!” she laughed.

The girls took the steering position on the front of the ATV’s, with the guys climbing on behind them. Becky took the lead, guiding them into a thick cluster of trees. Alana loved the earthy smell of composting leaves still on the ground from the fall. It had been a long time since she had been out in the country air, feeling the wind blowing through her hair and across her face felt liberating. Birds and squirrels scurried out of the path as they continued riding on the twist and turns of the trail.

Coming upon a small clearing, Becky pulled over and stopped, Alana pulling up next to her.

“Something wrong?” she asked her friend.

“Nah, just need a potty break,” she laughed, climbing off the front of the ATV. “I’m sure Carter left some beer in the cooler if you guys are thirsty.” She pointed to the cooler, while pulling some paper out from a small black box under the seat of the ATV. “Alana, you need to go?”

“I probably should,” she replied, following Becky behind a few trees and shrubs.

“
We’ll be bock
,” Becky yelled in her best Arnold
Schwarzenegger
voice.

“Goofy woman,” Dusty laughed, shaking his head.

“She’s a good one for you, man,” Logan said, cracking open a Coor’s Light and pulling a long draw from it.

“She’s a good time. We’ve been talking about hooking up every now and then. You know me man, I’m not the settling kind. Besides, she’s still getting her ex outta her system.” Dusty leaned on the seat of the ATV, scratching his chin.

“Just hooking up, huh? If that’s what makes you happy buddy, I’m happy for you.” Logan leaned beside him handing him a beer.

“She makes me happy. No doubt about that. I don’t believe I’ve ever met another like her,” Dusty took the beer, popping it open. “What about you? You seem to be diggin’ on our lovely Alana over there.” he laughed.

Logan rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“
Woo wee
, I feel like a brand new woman,” Becky announced coming through the trees. “Are we ready to rock and roll? I thought we’d hit the dirt mounds for a while, get some air time baby!” she said, whistling as her hand glided through the air.

“You’re a damn crazy woman if you think I’m hangin’ on the back of this death trap while you go sailing through the air,” Dusty pointed at her.

“Well hon’, how about I hang on to you,” Becky winked.

“That sounds a whole lot damn better!” he laughed.

The girls climbed on the back of the ATV’s and they headed back toward the mud pits.

“Hang on baby,” Dusty yelled over his shoulder to Becky, “It’s going get bumpy.”

Tightening her grip around his waist with one hand, Becky threw her other arm in the air screaming “Yeee haw!”

“Damn crazy woman!” Alana laughed.

“You ready for this, baby?” Logan called over his shoulder.

Alana held on tight, and screaming, “Hell yeah!”

Gunning the gas, Logan shot forward chasing after Dusty and Becky. They hit the mud pit wide open, covering themselves with red mud. “You alright back there?” he called over his shoulder to Alana.

“Yeah! Go, Go, Go!” she yelled back.

“Gotta love a woman who loves to get dirty!” he laughed.

When they hit the bottom of the dirt ramp fast and furious, they went flying through the air landing with such a thud that Alana almost bounced off the back. Logan slowed down long enough to make sure Alana was okay before gunning the gas again to take on the next ramp. They drove over bumpy hills, jumped dirt ramps and splashed through mud until the sun finally set and the bonfire was lit. They laughed so hard their sides hurt once they finally realized just how covered with mud they were. Tired, muddy and happy, they made their way back to Dusty’s truck for some cold drinks.

“Oh my God, I cannot believe the mud caked in my hair!” Alana told Becky.

“It’s all good. There’s a bathhouse down by the dock. Come on, let’s go get this shit off.”

“Where?” Alana replied, looking around for a water spigot.

“There’s a bathhouse down by the dock,” Becky pointed.

“You need any help cleaning that mud outta your panties mama, you give me a shout,” Dusty called after them as they walked off.

“Always such a goof,” Becky smiled as she sashayed away.

“Apparently,
goofs
are good for you. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long while,” Alana laughed.

Waving at the guys, Becky led them to the bathhouse. “So, did you have fun out there?” Becky finally asked.

“Yes, so much fun!” Alana was still laughing, trying to get the mud out of her hair.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you let loose like that. It’s good to know you’re not
all
work and no play. He’s good for you, yunno?”

Alana was surprised at her friend’s honesty. “Yeah, he is,” She smiled. “What about you? Are things getting serious with Dusty?”

“Serious? You know that man don’t have a serious bone in his body,” she laughed. “But he does make me laugh, and hell, multiple orgasms never felt so good.”

Alana laughed so hard she doubled over. “Oh my god, Becky! So it’s like that, huh?”

“Oh, come on! You’re telling me the sergeant out there hasn’t had you screaming his name a few times?”

“Oh, I didn’t say that at all, my friend,” she winked.

Becky laughed, “I knew it! But, seriously, I do like Dusty. I just don’t want to get hurt again, you know what I mean. The ex did a number on my heart, and I’m just not willing to allow any access to the duct tape I used to put it back together.”

Becky never used her ex’s first name. He was always referred to simply as “the ex”. But, Alana knew just how hurt her friend had been after the divorce.

“I know Becky, but Dusty does seem like he cares for you. Logan says he’s never seen his friend like this before.”

“Really? Cause Dusty says the same thing about Logan and you.” Becky cocked an eyebrow up, “You think they’re playing us?”

Elbowing her friend in the arm, Alana replied, “NO, stop being so skeptical. Things are going to work out,
for both of us
.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

It took forever, but once the girls cleaned the mud off and brushed their hair out, they returned to Dusty’s truck. Both men were sitting on the tailgate, gazing at the burning embers of the fire and drinking a cold beer. They had managed to clean the mud off themselves too. They turned to find the girls approaching the back of the truck.

All the trucks were backed up in a circle around the fire and couples were snuggled up in the beds of the trucks. Some had made pallets on the ground and were curled up together, staring into the heat of the fire. It was a clear night, all the stars in the sky were visible.

Pulling Becky into his arms, Dusty said, “Took y’all long enough. Come here and give me some sugar.”

“You’re so cute when you’re needy,” She teased back.

Walking in between Logan’s dangling legs, Alana snaked her arms around his neck. “How about you? Did you miss me too?” she whispered as she kissed his jawline.

“Mmmm,” he groaned pulling her tighter to him as she made her way down his neck. “I’d show you just how much if we weren’t surrounded by all these people.” Pulling back and looking down at her face, he said, “Unless you’re into exhibitionism?”

Alana laughed out loud, “Oh god no!” she squealed.

“Okay then, we’ll have to wait. So you need to stop
that
if you don’t want me flipping you over this tailgate and fucking you right here on the back of Dusty’s truck,” he chuckled, turning her around to face the fire. Scooting back so Alana had room to sit between his legs, he pulled her up on the tailgate snuggling her rump against his already hard cock.

“You’re asking for it, angel,” he hissed in her ear.

“What?” she smiled innocently, feeling his length growing against her back.

“You know what,” he grinned into her hair.

Carter strummed his guitar strings, the deep timbre of his voice rising above the crackling sounds of the roaring fire, as he sang “To Make You Feel My Love”, by Garth Brooks. Rocking their bodies in time with the beat of the music, the words washed over Alana as Logan hummed in her ear. So much had happened in the few days they had been together. So many feelings of highs and lows. And yet, the emotions coursing through her were so strong. Having never been in love before, how could she be sure what she was feeling now? She shuddered at the thought of saying goodbye to the man who came to mean so much to her in such a short time.

Feeling her shudder in his arms, Logan wrapped his arms around her. “Are you cold?” he asked quietly. Not ready to admit the true reason for her chills, Alana shook her head.

“Come here,” he pulled them closer to the cab of the truck, “let me cover you up.” Pulling the quilt from the bag she had brought, Logan wrapped it around them and held her tightly around the waist. Kissing her head, he sang the words of the song in her ear.

Closing her eyes she soaked in the words drifting from Logan’s lips, she laid her hands over his resting on her waist, and drew circles over and over on his warm skin. The song was so right. This is where she belonged, embraced in his arms, breathing in his scent. Knowing at that moment, she never wanted to be with anyone else. The thought enlightened her, yet scared her at the same time. How would they work this out? Could they work it out? Did he really feel the same way? She felt that he did. Or was it just amazing, mind blowing, earth shattering sex she was feeling?