Part 1: No Regrets(Divine Creek Ranch 2)(69)

Kelly grinned devilishly. “Yep, a little black-haired angel kept me awake last night. Just when I thought he’d settle down and let me rest, he’d start back up again with his hollering and wailing. Frankly, he was so loud I was afraid you might even hear him next door. But I did eventually get to sleep. He was right back at it this morning.” In a short fit of giggles, she actually snorted.

My sister knows what I sound like when I get a blowjob.

Crap. Eli’s mortification was complete. Not only had Kelly heard them, she could make out the endearment Eli used for Rachel. Kelly smiled innocently at Eli. “Is it hot in here to you, Eli? You look a little flushed.”

Eli cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah, maybe so.”

“So was your last neighbor an elderly person, Eli?” Kelly asked

naughtily.

Eli groaned quietly and allowed her to have fun at his expense. “Yeah, he was. His children had to move him into a nursing home.”

“Was he in ill health?” she asked, the picture of concern.

“They worried about his safety. He was…hard of hearing.” Eli gave her a look that promised retribution as she snickered. Rachel looked at them quizzically.

“Am I missing something here?”

Attentively, Eli replied, “No, honey, how’s your breakfast?”

“It’s good. So what were your plans for today, Kelly?”

“I’m headed over to Charity and Justin’s in a few minutes. They

haven’t seen the baby yet, and it’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen their kids. What are you going to do today?”

“Eli is going to take me on a ride out to the lake.”



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“How romantic,” Kelly said approvingly. “You’re so perfect together.

Did you know there’s a chance of rain this evening?”

Eli replied, “No, but thanks for letting me know. We’ll make sure and watch the skies. You’re full of all kinds of helpful information, aren’t you, sis?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yep, helpful me!” she said, smiling innocently. “Don’t wait on me for supper. I may stay and eat with them.”





* * * *



Rachel pulled her long hair back and braided it then allowed Eli to help her put her helmet on. She slipped her arms into his big leather riding jacket, which he insisted she should wear. He climbed on and started his Harley then held it steady while she climbed on behind him and got settled.

“You all right? Ready to go?” Through the small speaker inside the helmet he asked, “Hear me okay?”

“Yes, honey. I’m ready.” She scooted toward him and slid her arms around his waist and couldn’t resist rubbing her breasts against him playfully.

Eli chuckled and rubbed back. “Damn, do that as much as you want, angel. Hold on to me.” He turned the bike in the driveway and pulled out.

She pressed against him and held on tight. The vibration of the motorcycle traveled through every fiber of her body. She felt the throaty roar as he accelerated down the road and experienced a rush of adrenaline at the openness and freedom as the wind blew around them. He eased the bike at low speeds through town to get her used to being on a motorcycle and then rode out on the state highway that led out to Bowie Lake farther up in the hill country.

Rachel knew Eli took the ride easy for her sake, staying well within the speed limit. She also noted that he would occasionally rub his back against her breasts and figured he took the ride slow and easy for his own sake, as well. She made sure he enjoyed the extra few minutes of her snuggled up so close to his back as she held on around his waist. It was a perfect day.

They rode on the lake road that looped around the shoreline before they stopped at a rest area that was close to the water and perfect for taking a walk. He helped her off, and they strolled down to the shore. Holding hands,



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they walked along the water’s edge. She was very quiet, lost in thought as he stopped at a weathered log on the shore and took a seat. She sat down beside him and picked up a sun-bleached stick and began poking the rocks with it. The sunlight sparkled off the water as a breeze blew across it, and the water lapped at the shore.

She removed the elastic band from the end of her braid and slowly ran her fingers through the plait. She’d braided it at Eli’s suggestion because having long hair blowing about while riding on the back of a motorcycle was never a good idea. The wind would turn it into a knotted mess. She felt a little bereft for some reason. She attributed it to the Sunday afternoon blues and to being out of her usual routine. She didn’t care whether her laundry and oil change got done today or tomorrow, but she was a creature of habit, and finding a new rhythm with Eli had her a little off kilter.