Friday, February 4, 2011

Chapter 10

Richie stared at his reflection in the mirror as he dipped the head of his razor into the sink.  He absently swished the utensil around in the tepid, cloudy pool of water, shaking loose the lump of foam and bits of stubble from the blade.

Tipping his chin upward and turning his head from side to side, Richie quickly inspected his shave, ensuring he had scraped away all of the soft two-day's growth.  Satisfied, he reached for the small pink hand towel on the bar.

He quickly mopped his face with the towel, wiping away remaining streaks of shaving cream and droplets of water.  He again regarded his reflection, inspecting his work.  He looked good.  And he felt about a thousand percent better now that he was freshly showered and shaved.  By the time Annie had finally dragged him back home he had been thoroughly caked with grease and sweat and grime, the residue of his day's labor.

Annie hadn't seemed to mind his grungy state, but she had pointed him directly to the bathroom when they arrived at her house.  Richie had gladly obeyed her order to shower and get changed while she fixed them something to eat.

Just knowing Annie was in the next room as he stood under the shower's spray had proved a challenge for Richie.  To be naked in her pretty little pink bathroom, surrounded by her scent and her most personal items, had made him both extremely aroused and a little embarrassed.  He had no choice but to grit his teeth and turn the tap all the way to cold, praying the chilly water would quash his surging libido.

He had been half-hard all the way home, recalling the feel of Annie's soft hand wrapped around his as she had led him across the street from the garage to her truck.  He hadn't let go of her hand until they reached the vehicle and he remembered his manners, opening the driver's side door for her.  The little wink Annie gave him as she climbed into the seat made Richie's heart race and his groin tighten.  All the way home he had left his hand resting beside his thigh on the truck's bench seat, hoping she would reach over and again press her palm against his.

But she hadn't.  And now just the memory of her touch was revving him up again.

With a little groan Richie stepped over to the toilet and flipped up the lid.  He pointed his dick toward the bowl and relieved himself again, the third time since he stepped into the bathroom.  His nerves were definitely making themselves felt in his bladder.

When he finished he reached down to flush and tugged up the zipper on his jeans.  Turning back to the sink, he reached into the bowl and pulled the plug, then rinsed his razor in a stream of clean water from the tap before tossing it into his shaving bag.  Extracting a small bottle of after-shave from the kit, he splashed some onto his palms, rubbed his hands together, and swiped them across his cheeks and down the sides of his neck.

Immediately the pungent spice of the cologne filled the small, humid room, almost making him gag.  Richie swore softly and quickly turned on the tap, splashing cold water onto his face to rinse away some of the cologne and praying he hadn't overdone it.  He just wanted to smell nice, not make Annie think he was some kind of gigolo.

Capping the bottle and shoving it back in his kit, Richie reached for the clean shirt hanging from the hook on the door.  He tugged the white tank top over his head and pulled it down over his chest and stomach.  A quick swipe of his hand behind his neck freed his long damp locks from the fabric straps across his shoulders and sent them tumbling down his back.

Glancing again in the mirror, Richie reached up to straighten the small silver cross than hung from a thin chain around his neck.  The little charm gleamed in the powder room's soft light.

"Okay."  Richie took a deep breath and spoke to his reflection.  "Just stay cool, Man.  Relax and have a good time."  The corners of his mouth twisted into a wry grin as he added silently, Wherever the fuck it is she's taking me tonight.

He grabbed his shaving kit and reached for the knob.

*****

Annie looked up at the sound of the door opening.  She couldn't stop a smile from lighting her face as Richie emerged from the bathroom and moved over to his rucksack.  She watched him through the kitchen doorway as he dropped his shaving bag on the floor and stuffed his dirty clothes into the bag, rooting around in its contents for a minute.   He looked much more comfortable and relaxed than he had before his shower.

And that snug tank top.... Annie purred softly to herself as her gaze slid over Richie's smooth shoulders and lingered on his biceps, watching them bunch as he tugged at the zipper of the canvas sack.  Her stomach fluttered as the delicious scent of his aftershave floated into the room and filled her senses.

"Feel better?"  Annie smiled brightly at Richie when he straightened and met her gaze.  He returned her expression, his brown eyes sparkling as he grinned.

"Yeah.  Lots.  Thanks for letting me shower first.  I tried not to use all the hot water."  Richie's cheeks colored lightly at his last statement.  He certainly hadn't avoided the hot water tap for selfless reasons.

"No problem.  No offense, but you needed a shower worse than I do."  Annie giggled.  "You had grease everywhere.  I just smell like grease."

Richie chuckled and walked toward her, a few long strides carrying him into the kitchen.  He leaned against the counter next to where she stood.  "Yeah, but you smell a lot better than I did.  Besides, I like the smell of onion rings."

"I know."  Annie giggled again and set the knife she was using on the countertop.  "Hope you don't mind BLTs for supper.  I don't have much in the pantry."

"Sounds great."  Richie looked at the plates resting on the counter in front of Annie.  Each held a diagonally-cut sandwich piled with crisp green lettuce, thick slices of tomato, and wide slices of bacon.  His mouth watered.

Annie smiled at his expression.  "The lettuce and tomatoes are from my garden.  But the pig ain't mine.  It's from the Winn-Dixie."  She chuckled when Richie snorted at her tease.  "You want chips?"

"Sure."  Richie nodded as Annie turned toward the gingham-curtained pantry.  "Um... anything I can do to help?"

"You can get us something to drink.  There's lemonade and sweet tea in the refrigerator.  Or beer, if you want one.  Glasses are in the cupboard above the sink."

Richie pushed away from the counter and quickly located the glassware.  He pulled two mismatched tumblers from the cupboard and set them on the counter, then stepped over to the refrigerator.  "What do you want to drink?"

"Lemonade's fine."  Annie turned around and stepped back toward the counter just as Richie moved in the same direction.  She squeaked softly as they bumped into each other, the lemonade in the pitcher Richie held sloshing over the rim onto Annie's blouse.

"Oh, shit!  Uh... I mean... God, I'm sorry!"  Without thinking Richie reached out with his free hand and wiped at the damp spot on Annie's shirt.  He froze as he felt Annie draw in a surprised breath, her firm breast pushing against his fingers with the expansion of her chest.

"Uh... Oh God..."  Richie felt a bolt of electricity shoot through him as he realized where his touch lingered.  He quickly withdrew his hand from Annie's chest and wrapped it around the lemonade pitcher, clutching the glass container tightly as his cheeks flushed crimson.  "I... uh...."

Annie couldn't help but giggle at Richie's adorable expression.  She felt her own cheeks color slightly, aware that her body had betrayed her excitement at Richie's touch.  "Uh... it's okay.  Look... no harm done.  It's just lemonade.  I'm gonna take a shower anyway."  She knew full well Richie was apologizing for almost-groping her, but she didn't want to embarrass him further.

"Uh... yeah.  I should be more careful."  Richie took a deep breath, then grinned sheepishly.  "After you."  He waited while Annie moved over to the counter, tugging open a bag of potato chips as she moved.  He stood rooted to his spot while she dumped a helping of chips onto each plate, then picked them up and turned to face him.

"You gonna stand there all day?" she teased gently.

"Just until you sit down.  Don't want any more accidents."  Richie didn't move.

Annie giggled in response and stepped past Richie, over to the small kitchen table.  She set the two plates on the tabletop before gracefully lowering herself into a chair.  "Okay.  You're safe now."

Richie's grin widened as he moved over to the counter and poured two glasses of lemonade, then carried them over to the table.  He sat opposite Annie and waited politely for her to begin eating.

They ate slowly, chatting about the day's events.  Richie felt himself relax as they talked, and he found himself smiling and laughing with Annie as she told him about the conversation and speculation she had overheard about the town's "Mystery Man."  By the time they were finished he was at ease, the awkward lemonade incident forgotten.

" 'Kay, I'm gonna go take a quick shower and get dressed."  Annie pushed her chair back and stood, reaching for the now-empty plates.

"I'll clean up.  You go ahead."  Richie jumped to his feet and also reached for the dishes.  He smiled when his hands bumped against Annie's, sending a little warm tingle up his arms.  "One thing I definitely know how to do is dishes.  Used to dry them for my Ma all the time."

Annie laughed.  "Well, since you're so eager, have at 'em."  She stepped back and watched Richie stack the empty plates and glasses, then carry them to the sink.  "When you're done feel free to watch some TV or turn on some music or somethin.'  I'll try not to keep you waiting too long."

"Don't worry about it.  I got this covered.  Besides -- if you're a typical girl it's gonna take you awhile to get all dolled up to go out, right?"  Richie gave Annie a cheeky grin.

Annie melted at the easiness of Richie's tease and at the sparkle in his deep chocolate eyes.  It was such a welcome sight, so different from the look of wistful sadness she had seen so much of.  "Hmm.. and you're one to talk about takin' awhile to get all dolled up,  Mister Jersey Hippie Boy?  Hell, you were in that bathroom for a good half an hour."

"Hey, I was all gross and dirty.  And I had to shave."  Richie made his playful protest as he turned on the faucet and reached for the dish soap.

"And you have more hair than I do,"  Annie pointed out.  "Well Sweet Jesus, I better get a move on, if it's gonna take me so long to get myself all pretty."

Her heart fluttered when Richie turned and gave her a long look.   When he spoke his voice was soft and gentle, almost reverent.  "You don't need any time at all, Annie.  You're already pretty."

For once Annie was the one who didn't know what to say.  Her smile softened and she gazed back at Richie for a long moment, a rosy blush tinging her cheeks.  Then she chuckled softly and moved toward the door.

*****

Richie knew Annie was near, even before he heard the creak of the screen door opening.  He could sense her, could smell her.  He didn't think he'd ever get her sweet scent out of his head, not even long after he left this place.  He would always remember her scent and her smile.

"So, you bored yet?"

Richie grinned up at Annie as she stopped beside him on the top step of the porch.  "No.  Just sitting out here watching the sunset.  Thinking."  He scooted over so Annie had room to sit beside him.

"What about?"  Annie leaned down to set the items in her hands on the porch floor.  Following her movement with his gaze, Richie realized she had carried something with her when she came out to join him.

Annie lowered herself onto the step beside Richie, her tanned legs bending and bumping lightly against Richie's denim-covered knee.  His eyes slid up her leg to the frayed hem of her cutoffs.  He swallowed hard as an urge to tug at the strings dangling against her thigh swept over him.

"What do you got there?"  Richie ignored Annie's question, instead asking one of his own.  He didn't want to tell her he had been trying to figure out a solution to his money problem, wondering how he would be able to pay Eddie for his car repair.  Tonight Richie just wanted enjoy himself with Annie, to talk and laugh and forget about his troubles and woes.  They would all still be there in the morning.

"This?"  Annie's blonde locks rippled in the light breeze as she swiveled her head toward the items she had brought onto the porch.  When she turned back to face Richie she was grinning.  "Here."  She handed him a small juice glass.

Richie took the empty glass, a confused little smile turning his lips.  "What's this for?"

Annie chuckled, again turning away and reaching for something.  "That..."  She shifted so she more fully faced Richie, turning onto her hip on the porch step.  "Is for this."

Richie eyed the big Mason jar in Annie's hands.  It was half-full of some kind of liquid and capped with a gold metal ring and lid.  Even in the dusky light Richie could see the brownish tint to the jar's contents.  "And that is....?"

Annie didn't reply, instead chuckling again and lowering the jar to her lap.  She grunted softly as she loosened the metal ring at the jar's top.  Richie felt a tingle run up his spine at the soft, grating scrape of metal on glass.  He watched as Annie removed the ring and set it on the porch beside her, then pried off the flat metal disc that covered the jar's mouth.  Almost immediately Richie was hit with the strong odor of fermented grain.

"What the....?" Richie's face screwed up into a little surprised grimace.  He watched skeptically as Annie tipped the Mason jar against the glass in his hand, filling it three-quarters full with the suspicious liquid.  "Is this... is it what I think it is?"

Annie grinned and reached for the other empty glass she had brought. After pouring a healthy shot of the liquid into her juice glass she set the jar on the step beside her.  "Don't know.  What do you think it is?"  She raised her glass in a toast.  "Cheers."

"Umm... Cheers?"  Richie was so startled he didn't know what to do.  So he just followed Annie's lead.  He raised his glass and touched it to Annie's.  He gaped as she gave him a grin and a wink, then raised the glass to her lips.  With a quick backward toss of her head she dumped the contents of the glass into her mouth and down her throat.

Swallowing the beverage in one quick gulp, Annie blinked away the moisture from her watering eyes and coughed raspily.  She grinned at Richie and nodded toward the glass he still held raised in mid-air.  "Go on. Your turn."

Richie gave the beverage in his hand another suspicious look, then raised the glass to his mouth.  Taking a deep breath, he tossed back the shot.  Almost immediately he gagged as the amber liquid blazed a trail of fire down his throat and into his belly.  He coughed and sputtered as his eyes welled with tears.

"Holy.... Holy... FUCK!" Richie gasped as he struggled to draw in a wheezing breath.  He was vaguely aware of Annie's musical laughter as he clutched at his throat and wiped at his eyes, trying desperately to regain his senses.  He felt Annie take the glass from his hand, then heard a crisp POP followed by a bubbling hiss.

"Here, take a swig of this."  Annie pressed the cold beer can into Richie's hand, chuckling  quietly as she watched his reaction.   She almost felt guilty for sneak-attacking Richie with the powerful drink, but she thought it might give him a little taste of a typical backwoods Georgia Saturday Night.

Richie immediately pulled the can to his lips and gulped greedily at the cold malt beverage.  "Take it easy...." Annie cautioned with a little laugh.  "Not too much.  Just enough to cool the fire."

Richie reluctantly handed the half-empty beer can back to Annie, then swiped his forearm across his eyes.  He coughed and cleared his throat a couple more times in quick succession, then turned his watery gaze to Annie.  "What the fuck did you just feed me?"

Annie gave him a mischievous grin.  "I think you know."

"Was that... moonshine?"

The disbelief in Richie's voice made Annie laugh out loud.  She nodded as she giggled, her thick honeyed tresses swishing around her face.  She raised a hand to brush them away from her cheek and tuck them behind her ear, then smiled at Richie.  "Sure is."  She reached for the jar.  "Want some more?"

"NO!  I mean... uh... No thanks."  Richie cleared his throat again.  He didn't want Annie to think he was some kind of wimp who couldn't hold his booze, but DAMN....

Annie chortled softly.  "Sorry 'bout that.  I didn't mean to freak you out or nothin'.   I just wanted you to have an authentic Southern homegrown cocktail before we head out.  Thought it might help set the mood."

Richie couldn't help but smile at that.  "If that's setting the mood, then what the Hell am I in for?  That was like swallowing fire."

Annie smirked.  "Well, things may get a little hot tonight.  Never quite know what to expect."  She held Richie's gaze for a moment, then turned away to put the lid back on the Moonshine Mason Jar.  When she turned back to him, the twinkle in her blue eyes held a little challenge.  "You ain't scared of me now, are ya?"

Richie's cock jumped against his zipper at the sultry note in her voice.  His eyes locked on Annie's full lower lip, slicked with pink gloss and shining in the soft late-evening light.

"No." Richie's own voice was husky.  His eyes raised to meet hers.  "I'm not scared.  I'm.... excited."  He blushed slightly at the admission, hoping she wouldn't notice in the dusky twilight.

"Well, then."  Annie reached over to Richie's thigh, where his hand rested against the faded denim.  She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, smiling at its warmth under her touch.  "We better get goin'.  The night is upon us, and full of possibility."

Her smile made Richie's heart leap with anticipation.  Silently he turned his hand over and wrapped his fingers around hers.

"I'm ready."

4 comments:

  1. ROFLMAO!!!!
    Moonshine?!?!?!?! Isn't that like 100 proof?!?!?! AKA airplane fuel!!!
    Talk about "Don't Light A Match When You Kiss Me"!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh man! More suspense! The moonshine is gonna wreak havoc. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh boy this is going to be some night! can't wait to to see where she is taking him.

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