Mooncusser Cove Page 6

  Jerrod tipped his beer. “I like that. Nasty beachling ways. Did your family keep records?"

  "Volumes of records, yes,” Vesper replied.

  "With each repair I make do I get a peek?” Jerrod asked.

  "That works. Fix the lattice around the porch, and you get to read the first entries in the household ledger. Tighten the screws on the heating ducts, and you get to delve even deeper,” Vesper replied.

  "What work's been done on the house?"

  "Electricity in the nineteen forties, with a few upgrades here and there. A new well and updated plumbing in the seventies. A new roof after the hurricane of ‘eighty-nine. I've had most of the fireplaces inspected. The furnace in the basement burns coal or wood, but I hope to upgrade it to a more green solution in the future. Wind, solar—maybe even tidal power."

  "Very ambitious."

  "I like big projects.” Vesper took a swig of her beer. “Do you want to tell me about your accident? Get our laundry out to dry so-to-speak?"

  Jerrod sighed. “It was insane. I was run off the road by a semi whose driver had been stung by a bee in his cab. He was allergic. He passed out, the truck hit my SUV, pitched me over a guard rail, down an embankment and into a cow pasture. I recall, very briefly, seeing an astonished look on a heifer's face before everything went black. I woke up three months later with a shaved head, my memory flickering like a bulb trying to burn out and a steel rod in my right leg."

  "Oh, my God. Is the cow all right?"

  Jerrod pulled the bottle away from his lips and spit beer onto the sand as he busted a gut laughing. “The cow is fine! Yes! I went back and saw her. She licked my hand."

  "I'm so glad. Cows are such beautiful creatures. And you're fine, too?” Vesper teased.

  "I am on the mend. The other driver survived, too. It was a miracle."

  "You have been saved for a higher purpose, Jerrod Castaneda,” Vesper replied.

  "It appears so. I learned of my father's death several months after the fact. His lawyers finally caught up with me. He didn't know I'd been in an accident, and I didn't know he had cancer. He died on the same day I awakened from the coma. Two months later his lawyers waddled into the rehab and pronounced me heir to the family fortune. Surprised the heck out of me, because John D. and I had not spoken in over fifteen years. I changed my name and left home when I was eighteen—never to look back."

  "Why did you change your name? I had trouble finding you, too. I became fairly single-minded about finding the owner of the Paladin parcel—and..."

  Jerrod interrupted. “Paladin parcel?"

  "Your family name, yes. It was also the name the evil henchmen of the Mooncussers took when they signed on. They became Paladins,” Vesper replied.

  "That's incredible. My father, the late great John D. Paladin, failed to mention that fact. I am, literally, the son of a Paladin."

  "And I am the daughter of a Mooncusser."

  Jerrod laughed. “This is rich! I think we should build a bonfire or sink a ship or something."

  "Not ever during broad daylight. That's an after-dark activity on this beach, sir."

  "You know, this is actually my first beach experience."

  Vesper cocked her head to one side. Her hair tumbled to over her shoulder, looking absolutely fabulous—like silk—against the sun-kissed shoreline. “You didn't get to play in the sand as a child or perhaps do more than play as a teenager? Poor baby."

  "You're probably not going to believe this, but I've never walked barefoot into the surf."

  "What's stopping you?” Vesper asked. She stood and kicked off her Keds. “Come on in, honey. The water is fine."

  Vesper pulled off her sweater and dashed to toward the water. Jerrod hesitated for a moment, stunned, as she continued stripping to her bra and panties.

  "My, oh, my,” he sighed as he untied his shoes and stripped to his shorts. “Is this part of the welcome wagon greeting for new beach residents?” He edged his way to the place where the tide had wet the sand.

  "Don't hesitate, Jerrod Castaneda. Do you think any of the Mooncusser kin hesitated to wade into the bay to pillage a wreck? If you're going to write about them, you should walk their path."

  "Did the Mooncussers have sea nymphs in peach-colored underwear distracting them?"

  Vesper stepped beyond the threshold of the tide's reach. “Am I a distraction?"

  "Miss Adaire, you are an artist's dream. I'm not sure what's more startling, the sun on the surf, my feet sinking into wet sand for the first time, or you."

  Vesper stretched her lovely long arms above her head, pushing her ample cleavage out through the lace edge of her bra. “I've never been much to stand on ceremony. I like you, Jerrod. Since we're going to be working closely, you're going to have to get used to some of my eccentricities."

  "Such as flitting about in your bra and panties."

  Vesper laughed. “I never flit, Jerrod. I may prance a bit, and I've certainly been known to gallop a time or two—but flit? Never.” She paused. “What do you have against peach lingerie?"

  "I hold no prejudices against the color peach or any form of female undergarments."

  "Nor do I hold prejudices against dark blue boxer-style briefs. Much nicer than tighty-whities."

  "Well, now that we're done complimenting each other on our underwear, I have only one thing to say...” Jerrod began.

  "Oh, do tell,” Vesper urged.

  "I am completely in love with the ocean. The water on my ankles. The sand squishing between my toes. The way the air smells. Why did my father keep us away from the beach? This is incredible!"

  "Maybe it's the storms we have along the coast. Tonight the sky will be dark with cloud cover, and the moon will be but a slip against the sky. The perfect night for a Mooncusser."

  "A fire night,” Jerrod said softly.

  "Yes. A fire night. Where the lighthouse now stands we would have built our fire, letting it spark high and bright to lure ships into the shallows. Once aground, we'd row out and take everything. And I do mean, everything. We would strip man and ship from sails to boots and even to the smallest brass nail."

  "And then burn the hull,” Jerrod continued.

  "We didn't. The clan didn't torch the wrecks. It was our evil henchmen who buried the bodies and burned the broken ships for us."

  Jerrod laughed. “Ah, my family. Who knew?"

  "Theirs is a rich tale,” Vesper replied.

  Jerrod moved his fingertips through the water. “I love this. What was he thinking hiding this place?"

  "Fear does strange things to people,” Vesper replied.

  "He had nothing to fear. He had us all under his thumb. The man was a putz. I don't remember lots of things, but I remember my father. He was a mean old son-of-a-gun."

  "Oh, goodness,” Vesper replied. “I think I'm going to open a dog wash, too."

  Jerrod laughed. “Excuse me?"

  "Look at your baby. She's all muddy."

  Jerrod's filthy and exhausted puppy sat waiting outside Vesper's cottage door.

  "Well, I'll be damned. She knows her way home."

  "I'll toss her in my laundry room sink and get her cleaned up. She is a dirty, dirty girl."

  Vesper waded to the shore. “Come on in at your leisure, Jerrod. We'll work out the details of our contract over pizza, how's that?"

  Jerrod splashed the waves. “Sounds good. I'll wander in in a few. I'm not quite ready to crawl out of this lovely primordial soup yet."

  "This beach is no stranger to evolution, Jerrod. Don't stay in too long, or you might end up climbing up the food chain."

  "What's higher on the food chain than man?” Jerrod replied.

  Vesper laughed and walked away, soaking wet, her peach lingerie clinging to her in all the right places. Jerrod waded deeper into the surf to hide his arousal.

  * * * *

  Vesper lifted Moonie into her arms. “Hello, sweet one. Find something interesting along the shore?” The puppy's wet, dirty belly and feet ru
bbed against Vesper's bare arms and torso. “You're cold, and now I'm dirty, too. Maybe I'll put you in the shower with me."

  Jerrod couldn't take his eyes off of Vesper Highgate-Adaire's shapely backside. He was pretty sure she knew he was watching, too. Is she coming on to me? I mean ... stripping to her skivvies...

  He felt himself grow harder. He'd been willing the beast to remain at rest while his sea-nymph neighbor had been prancing around in the surf. Of course, she probably wouldn't have minded. By the looks of it, she was pretty darn open sexually.

  A few more minutes in the surf and Jerrod stepped out of the water and walked up the beach, relishing the sound of the dry sand's crunch against his feet. “I am going to love it here.” Jerrod walked toward the cottage, picking up his and Vesper's errant clothing as he made his way.

  Her front door was ajar. He pushed it open. “Hello?” The sound of water running from the back of the cottage led him to believe she couldn't hear him.

  Nice digs, he thought, entering. Two huge ceiling beams supported by what looked like recycled telephone poles gave the front room a nautical look. Everything seemed to be in its place. The pillows on the love seat looked new. Not even a coaster graced the dust-free end table.

  "Vesper?” He glanced through an open door, assuming it was the laundry room. “Is she filthy?” He stopped dead as he realized he'd pushed opened the bathroom door.

  Vesper and the dog were sharing a bath.

  "Yes, was very dirty. She's a dirty puppy. I hosed her off, then thought the two of us girls should enjoy a nice warm bath."

  Jerrod averted his eyes. “Thank you."

  "Don't be alarmed, neighbor. I sunbathe in the nude, and I'm certainly not going to apologize for it."

  "You're very open."

  "I am. And I was as muddy as your dog, so I'm getting cleaned up, too. We're on a well here—no wasting water. One bath for man and beast. Share and share alike."

  "Vesper, I..."

  "Oh, do stop pretending you don't want to look at me and sit down. I don't care if you stare at my breasts, and I'm sure Moonie doesn't mind you staring at hers, either."

  "I guess we're both adults. I can handle it if you can.” Jerrod pulled up a stepstool and sat down. “So, you have breasts. Nice. I didn't notice before."

  "But mine aren't as cute as Moonie's are!” Vesper held the wet puppy up by the front legs, exposing her little golden belly to Jerrod. “She's got eight of them!"

  "Forgive me for saying so, but yours rank right up there in ‘cute and perky’ department."

  "You remember breasts? Nothing else ... except for breasts?"

  Jerrod nodded. “A real man always remembers breasts. And yours are quite memorable."

  "Thanks, neighbor. Here, take your dog. She's clean,” Vesper replied, passing the wet puppy to Jerrod. “There's a towel by the sink for her."

  "Hi, baby. Are you a clean puppy? You smell like lavender,” Jerrod said, nuzzling Moonie.

  "So, are you going to wrap me in a towel and nuzzle me, too?” Vesper asked.

  "Do you smell like lavender?” Jerrod replied. He set Moonie on the bathroom carpet. The pup began cleaning herself at rapid pace.

  "I don't know. Maybe you should get a little closer and take a whiff. If I still smell like dirty puppy, then maybe I need a little more soap applied here and there."

  "Right neighborly of you to offer me a whiff of lavender from your bathwater,” Jerrod replied. He moved onto his knees before the bathtub. He leaned forward and breathed in deeply. Steam. Lavender. Woman.

  Instinctively, he brought his lips to Vesper's throat. She didn't pull away. He kissed her over and over, pulling his lips from shoulder to chin.

  Vesper giggled. “Please, Jerrod. Not in front of the baby.” She paused. “I called for pizza. They don't deliver until six o'clock.” She reached for her cell phone on the back of the toilet. “It's nearly five-thirty now. How shall we pass the time?"

  Jerrod snuggled Moonie. “Where did time fly? Seems like I just got here."

  "You want to stay in the mansion tonight? Trade the Mooncusser Hotel for the real deal?"

  "I'd love to stay in the mansion, but all my stuff is at the hotel,” Jerrod replied.

  "I've got a spare toothbrush, and I'm sure I can find you something to wear to bed. Do you want to hop in and get cleaned up before you enter the abode of the kin?” Vesper asked.

  "Vesper, you're really sexy, but we're going to be working together, and I don't think we should compromise that relationship,” Jerrod replied. Damn. I'm proud of myself for saying that!

  "Bullshit, Jerrod. You know damned well you want to climb into this lovely claw-foot tub and find out just how much you've really forgotten about breasts. If I hadn't stopped you a moment ago you would have..."

  Jerrod laughed. He felt his face flush. “Okay, you got me."

  "No, Jerrod. I'm trying to tell you that it's okay if you want to get me. Just think, a Mooncusser and a Paladin, together again. In the Biblical sense, yet."

  "I haven't read the Bible in a long time.” He reached a hand over the edge and lightly fondled Vesper's breasts.

  Vesper giggled. “It's like riding a bicycle. Climb on and you'll remember what to do.” She paused. “I'd like to spend the night with you, Jerrod. There's a round red velvet bed in the mansion."

  "Lady, you make me so hot that I'd be happy with a bed of nails at this point."

  Vesper rose from the tub. “I think I'm going to like having you around here, Mr. Castaneda."

  "I hope it'll be good for both of us,” Jerrod replied.

  Vesper reached for a bath towel. “Bedroom's across the hall—or shall we be a bit more adventurous?"

  Jerrod liked what he saw. The neighbor lady has a body on her, brother. He slipped off his shorts. “Anywhere but on a lit stove."

  "Hmmm ... you're sporting a tremendous woody there, sir,” Vesper replied.

  "Like I said, it's been awhile."

  "Well, then we'd better waste no time.” Vesper wrapped her still-wet body around Jerrod's.

  The sensation of her warm, moist skin against his sent tingles and shivers shooting up and down his spine. It had been a very long time, indeed.

  Soft, female flesh tempted every part of him into submission. He obligingly dropped to the floor as she gently pulled him southward.

  Jerrod's back to the wall and legs extended out toward the bathroom cabinet, Vesper climbed onto his lap.

  The dog cast a disinterested glance at the pair and fell back into a deep “tired puppy” sleep.

  Vesper slid her ready female region along Jerrod's shaft. She raised her body slightly, hovering just above his rise, teasing him. She allowed the swollen head of his penis to enter ever so slightly before lifting away.

  It was both maddening and torturous, yet was still the best foreplay he'd ever had. That much, he recalled. No woman knew how to give “good cock tease” like this one did. Of that, he was becoming increasingly certain.

  They hadn't yet kissed. They'd skipped the preliminaries and gone straight to lust. Jerrod leaned his head forward. Vesper smiled at him, continuing to torment him.

  "Kiss me,” he commanded.

  Vesper put her lips to his with the force of a hunting party out to slaughter a ferocious beast. She wanted to swallow this lovely son of a Paladin whole. Hunger egged her on. Desire plagued her. Her curse forced her. The surge of Maria's sweet female essence, la fièvre de la femme, controlled her.

  Their first kiss did not stir the embers of satisfaction or slake la fièvre as she had anticipated. Their first kiss tasted sharp and made her lips tingle. She flicked her tongue against his. She could draw no energy from him. Not a drop. The son of a Paladin, as always, was well-grounded and protected against the appetites of a Mooncusser's daughter. They could become the perfect power couple.

  Jerrod positioned his raging hard-on at the brink of Vesper's inviting vaginal opening. “Are you protected?” he asked.

  Vesper lowered
her body onto Jerrod's member. “I keep a shotgun in the closet."

  "No, I mean ... protected,” Jerrod panted. “Otherwise, I'm going to have to pull away..."

  Vesper's body flowed into an upright position. “No worries there, Jerrod. Give me your best shot."

  He complied. Jerrod thrust upward, impaling Vesper. She screeched and fell back, catching herself with her hands. Undulating her hips against his, they climbed toward climax. It wasn't going to take long. They both knew it.

  He pushed Vesper's hips down, planting himself as deeply as he could as he achieved orgasm. The pulse of his orgasm was so strong, she could count the beats along his shaft like she was watching a heart monitor.

  A moment later, she breeched the threshold herself and exploded.

  She had never felt happier than at that moment. He was a true Paladin. Even at the height of orgasm, he remained closed to her. It was all she could do to hold back shrieks of joy. A Paladin! At last, a helper-mate, a protector. Perhaps, a man to love.

  Exhausted, they rested against each other, still joined.

  Jerrod softly interrupted their post-coital bliss. “I need a drink."

  Vesper crawled away, gently nudging the dog off the carpet. “So do I."

  She rose slowly and slid out the partially open bathroom door. Moonie followed her.

  "You want a drink, too?” she asked the dog.

  Jerrod emerged. He'd slipped his shorts back on. Vesper had not dressed.

  "Water is fine. I feel parched,” Jerrod said.

  "Bottled in the fridge. Help yourself. I'm going to slip on my robe,” Vesper replied.

  "Don't bother on my account."

  She smiled. “I'll take that as a compliment, neighbor."

  Jerrod patted her round butt as she sauntered by him into the bedroom.

  He reached for a bowl on the counter and filled it with tap water. “Here you go, girl."

  The puppy sniffed at the bowl, then took a long drink.

  "I feel the same way,” Jerrod said to the dog as he twisted off the cap on a bottle of spring water. “Dried up. I am dried up, Moonie."

  "I have a very intense sex drive,” Vesper replied.