Grace parted her lips as Art teased them gently with his tongue, hungry to taste her. As soon as his tongue touched hers, Grace felt an incredible warmth taking over her body. The apex of her thighs began to tingle and she dared to tease his tongue with her own. With his free hand, Art reached up and cupped one of her breasts through her dress.
“Mmm…” Grace moaned and leaned in to his touch. Art wrapped his fingers around the laces of her dress’s bodice and hurriedly he tugged at them. When finally they came free, he pulled the top of her dress and reaching in to her neckline, he pulled one of her breasts free. “Mmm!” Grace moaned again as this time Art cupped her bare breast in his hand. Her small pink nipple budded under his touch and she was no longer able to return his kisses. Instead, she simply threw back her head, her mouth open, and breathed deeply and heavily.
“Well, well, well…looks like things are getting’ mighty cozy up there to me.” The voice came from the bottom of the haystack bleachers. Shocked, Grace pulled away. They both stared down to the figure standing below. “I should have known when you rejected my affections, that you were a good time girl…” Everett smirked. “But I see now I'm not missing out on all that much…” He nodded to Grace’s bared breast. Quickly she tugged at her dress, covering herself.
“Roosevelt,” Art began to step down the haystack bleachers, “I've had just about enough of you.” He said.
“Well, lucky for you, you won't have to put up with me for much longer…not when her daddy finds out what she’s been up to.” Everett grinned.
Despite knowing that Everett didn't even know who her daddy was, Grace found herself panicking. She knew that he had the money to find out and if he really did tell her father of her indiscretions, he would likely drop dead of embarrassment.
“I don't think that would be such a smart move…” Art said, as he stepped down over the last two hay bale steps.
“Oh? And what're you gonna do about it?” Everett said, taking a step back. He stood a good foot taller than Art, but knew that he needed space to swing if he was going to lay the man out. He rolled up his sleeves. Art shook his head.
“I ain't gonna fight you if that's what you think.” He said. And just as the word ‘think’ left his lips, Everett took a swing.
Chapter 6
Art leaned back, getting out of the way of Everett’s fist just in time.
“I wouldn't do that again if I was you…” Art said as Everett recovered from his swing and brought his hands up to his face like a boxer.
“Too chicken to fight, eh?” Everett asked with a sneer. Art shook his head.
“No, I just don't believe in layin’ out my source of income.” Art said. It took a few seconds for this to get through Everett’s head, but when it did he dropped his hands and frowned.
“What the hell are you talking about?” He asked. Up in the haystack bleachers, Grace couldn't help but smile to herself.
“You…and me…” Art said, allowing a little more time for Everett to make sense of what he was saying. When it still didn't click, Art offered another helping hand. “AJM Corporation.” He said slowly and then touching the brim of his hat with his finger, he added: “Art James Monroe at your service.” Everett froze. For what seemed like hours, he stared at Art and then he raised his hand and scratched the back of his head under his hat.
“You…You mean…” Art gave a single nod and waited for Everett to realize just what a mistake he had already made. “I don't understand…” Everett stammered. While lacing up the top of her dress, Grace stepped carefully down the hay bales.
“What he’s telling you, in a round about way, is that he is the owner of AJM Corporation. He is the owner of that pretty piece of land out there that is making you a nice little bundle.” She said and as she came to the bottom of the haystack steps, she looked up at Everett who now seemed much less intimidating.
“Oh…” Was all Everett could manage. It seemed that his mouth was still catching up with his brain as he processed this new information. “Well…I…umm…” Everett took off his hat and dipped his head in Grace’s direction. “I don't even know who your daddy is, if I'm being honest. And…well, I suppose from down here, looking up there a man’s eyes might play tricks on him. He might see things that aren't really there.” He said, lifting only his eyes up to look pitifully at Art. Art blinked slowly and gave him a nod.
“Might I suggest that you offer Miss. Grace an apology and be on your way?” Art said. Everett nodded. As much as he hated to kowtow to anyone, he knew that he couldn't afford to lose his investment in Art’s oil.