Stranded
Kate Page
Stranded - Smashwords Edition
Published by Kate Page at Smashwords
Copyright © 2010 by Kate Page
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Stranded
“Thanks for taking me with you,” Paige Nelson said as she admired the full moon in the clear sky.
Her sister smiled at her. “Hey, it’s the least I can do, what with all the stress you’ve been under and all.”
Paige tried not to think of Todd. Instead, she focused on the deserted road that was lined with snow-covered trees. Up ahead was the quaint one bedroom cabin her sister owned. Her cell phone rang. She sighed and pulled it out of her pocket, checking the number and expecting it to be Todd. It wasn’t. Good. The kids weren’t giving him problems yet.
Lori snatched the phone from her and turned it off. “This weekend is all about you getting some R and R. No phones.”
“I wasn’t going to answer it,” Paige replied. “It was just Mom anyway.”
She grimaced. “I wonder what she wants now.” Then her cell phone rang. “Ugg!” She turned off her ringer and shook her head. “Whatever it is, I’ll find out later.”
Laughing, Paige leaned forward to pick up her purse as Lori parked the car. Hopping out of the passenger seat, she closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh winter air. Her entire body relaxed. Yes, this was going to be a terrific weekend. Free from all her troubles and worries.
Her sister popped the trunk, and Paige went over to pick up her suitcase. “Did I thank you for bringing me here?”
Lori rolled her eyes. “Only a gazillion times. Boy, you really need time away from everything, don’t you?”
“It shows, huh?”
“A little bit. Okay, a lot.” She shut the trunk.
“Hey, what about your suitcase?”
“Oh, I have everything I need in the cabin. Come on.”
Paige shrugged and followed her sister to the door.
“Did you bring that bubble bath set I gave you?”
“Of course. You know, ever since I had kids, I haven’t been able to take a nice, long bath.”
Lori unlocked the door. “Well, now you can take as many as you want.”
It was going to be heaven! Paige couldn’t wait. No two and four-year-old children running in on her when she was in the bathroom. She’d long forgotten what that was like!
As soon as Lori opened the door, Paige heard Lori’s husband talking, followed by a more familiar voice. Giving her sister a critical look, Paige peered around her and gasped. She’d been set up! Lori shoved her into the cabin and shut the door so Paige couldn’t escape.
Todd glanced her way from where he was sitting by the fire and frowned. “I thought this was a guy’s only weekend,” he told Brent. “You know, wrestling and football without the wives?”
“Oh, right.” Brent stood up from the couch and rubbed his hands together. “Well, see, the TV doesn’t work.”
“So you called your wife?” Todd asked.
“Noooo.” Brent turned to Lori and gave her a ‘now what?’ look.
Lori clapped her hands and smiled. “Surprise!”
“Surprise what?” Todd stood up and looked from Lori to Paige.
“Yeah?” Paige added. “Surprise what?”
Lori waved Brent over, and he hurried to her side. “This is going to be a romantic getaway!”
“But you only have one bedroom,” Paige said.
“And that is all you and Todd will need…unless you get creative.” Lori giggled and opened the door. “Now, we’ll be back Sunday at seven to take you two home.”
“Wait,” Todd said, striding over to them. “What about our kids?”
“Yeah? Who’s watching them?” Paige asked.
“Mom,” Lori replied. “Which reminds me. I need to return her call. Bye!” She slipped out the door and headed off for the car.
“Uh…yeah.” Brent offered an apologetic smile. “It was all her idea.”
“Brent!” Lori called out.
“Coming!” He turned to them. “It’ll be fun. You have all weekend to be alone.” With a hesitant wave, he stepped out of the cabin and shut the door.
Paige stared at the door for a long moment before she dared a peek in her husband’s direction.
Todd sighed, retreated to the couch, and sat down. Putting his feet up on the coffee table, he placed his hands behind his head. “We might as well make the best of it.”
“Gee. Don’t sound too excited,” she muttered, making her way to the bedroom.
She plopped the suitcase on the bed and opened it. Whatever was her idiotic sister thinking? Lori knew how difficult things had gotten between Paige and Todd. The best thing they could do was stay apart, not be trapped together. Her gaze fell on the bubble bath kit. Well, at least she could enjoy a full weekend of baths. Todd was right. Though the situation wasn’t ideal, she’d make the best of it.
As she put her clothes in the small dresser, Todd approached the doorway. Glancing at him, she asked, “How come your things aren’t here?”
“I thought I’d just wear the same clothes,” he said with a shrug.
She grimaced. That meant he planned to wear the same underwear until Sunday night when he got back home.
“What’s the big deal? I thought if it was just me and Brent, who cared?”
“Yeah. I guess.” It made sense. Men didn’t worry so much about hygiene when women weren’t around. “So, how did you guys get up here? I didn’t see a second car out there.”
“We took a cab. Brent said his car was in the shop and said I wasn’t allowed to bring mine. Then he took my cell phone.”
She shut her suitcase and put it on the floor. “Did you get it back?”
Groaning, he rolled his eyes. “Don’t start on this, Paige.”
“Start on what? I just asked a question.”
“Yeah, right. It’s a question you ask a lot.”
“No, I don’t,” she replied, unable to understand why he was so touchy. “I’ve never asked if you got your cell phone back from Brent.”
“But you do ask if I have my cell phone with me.”
She shook her head and walked up to him. “Can I get out of this room?”
He stepped aside, so she passed him and turned on the light in the kitchenette before opening the fridge to see what items her sister decided to leave for them. She prayed there was some chocolate.
Todd followed but stood a couple of feet away from her. “I don’t need the cell phone in order to survive.”
With a chuckle, she examined the fruits, vegetables, and thawed boneless chicken breasts. Where was the chocolate? Her sister understood how important chocolate was to her.
“I can, Paige!”
Frustrated, she shut the door and turned to him, her hands on her hips. “Sure. If it means you can get some quality time watching something on the TV with Brent.”
“I like spending quality time with you too.”
She bit her tongue on a sarcastic reply. The last thing she wanted to do was get into another fight.
“Fine.” He threw his hands up in the air. “What’s the point? You don’t listen to me anyway.”
What was the deal? Even if she didn’t say anything, she pissed him off! “I do listen. It’s you who doesn’t listen.”
“Oh really? Then talk to me right now. I’ll listen.”
“Perfect, Todd. I have to get you away from the TV and cell phone in order to get your complete attention.”
He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “I’m trying. Why can’t you appreciate that?”
“Because you wouldn’t have tried at all if my crazy sister hadn’t concocted this scheme.”
“That’s not true. I do try. You just don’t pay attention.”
She opened up the cabinets and saw the chocolate covered cherries. Finally! Something sweet to snack on! She pulled the box off the shelf and set it on the counter.
“You know, I wish you showed me the same enthusiasm you show that box of cherries,” he grimly replied.
“That’s not fair, Todd.”
“It isn’t? You saw I was here and had this ‘How can I get out of this?’ look on your face. But you see those cherries, and you smile like a kid on Christmas morning.”
“Well, maybe chocolate doesn’t give me any grief.” As soon as she said the words, she wished she hadn’t. “I’m sorry, Todd. I didn’t mean it.”
But it was too late. The words had stung, and he retreated to the couch to sulk, as he was prone to do when he was upset. She thought of following him and apologizing again, but it wouldn’t do any good. He’d be stuck in his funk for a good half hour and wouldn’t talk to her until he got out of it.
She opened up the box. As much as she loved the cherries, the mood to eat them had been ruined. She couldn’t enjoy chocolate when she’d just hurt Todd’s feelings. Leaving the box on the counter, she returned to the bedroom and gathered her bubble bath. Once she soaked in the tub, she’d come back out and maybe Todd would be willing to talk then, though she wondered if it would do any good.
She took off her clothes and grabbed her bubble bath supplies. After she got the bubbles going in the tub, she pulled her hair up into a ponytail and stepped into the hot water. With a contented sigh, she sat back and closed her eyes. It was nice to soak in the tub without kids barging in on her. The tension of the day left her body as her muscles relaxed. This was so nice. If nothing else, this whole trip was worth this peaceful moment in time.
When she heard Todd enter the room, she opened her eyes and turned her head in his direction. As he made his way to the toilet, she cringed. “Do you really have to go right now?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, come on, Todd. Can’t you wait until I’m done?”
“Not unless you’ll be finished in five minutes.”
She sank further into the bubbles. “Fine. Do it.” She closed her eyes and hummed to herself while he did his business. She expected him to leave when he was done, but after he washed his hands, he went over to her. Opening her eyes, she stopped humming and asked, “What is it?”
“That song you were humming. It sounded familiar.”
“Oh, it’s just a song from the 80’s. I used to listen to it all the time.”
“That’s it. You had it on the cassette tape we played in our car.”
“Yeah, before we got the new car with the CD player in it.”
“Sometimes I miss that old clunker.”
She chuckled. “Well, you did drive it for the longest time.” With a sigh, she added, “We had some good times in that car.”
“Yeah.” He smiled wistfully. “It served us well. Remember our honeymoon? We didn’t think we’d ever find a hotel that wasn’t booked and thought we might run out of gas? That car got us to where we needed.”
“It did. I also remember getting stuck in our hotel room because the lock on our door got stuck.”
With a laugh, he wiggled his eyebrows. “I don’t recall minding so much that we were trapped like that.”
Her face flushed at the memory of them using that as an excuse to go back to bed. “Who needed to take the boat tour with my parents when more exciting things were going on in the room?”
He stood quietly for a moment. “I don’t like fighting all the time, Paige.”
Sighing, she sat up, aware the bubbles clung to her breasts and probably gave Todd a vantage point he enjoyed, if the way he lowered his gaze was an indication of where his thoughts were drifting. It’d been a long time since they made love. Much too long, and maybe that was part of their problem. “I don’t like all the fighting either,” she softly admitted.
Kneeling beside the tub, he brushed back a stray strand of hair that had fallen to her shoulders. “What happened to us? We used to get along so well.”
“I’m not sure.” She reached out and took his hand. “You’re a good husband and father. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“But you feel that I’ve been neglecting you?”
“Sometimes. You’ve felt the same way too, haven’t you?”
Giving a slight nod, he said, “Ever since the kids were born. And I guess ever since I got that job promotion, you think I spend all my free time on the phone.”
“I know you have to be on call when your co-workers can’t figure out how to make the software work or if there’s a hardware issue with the computers.”
He squeezed her hand. “And the kids need you to take care of them. They’re still too young to take care of themselves. But you’re right. When I have free time, I shouldn’t spend so much of it in front of the TV.”
“And I could spend less time chatting on the computer with my mom. That would make more time for us once the kids are asleep.”
“I bet that’s what we’ve needed all along. More time together.”
“Instead of more time apart.”
“Like we’ve been doing.”
She sighed. “What we thought was the right thing really wasn’t.”
“Maybe there’s hope for us yet.”
When he leaned forward, she closed her eyes in anticipation of the kiss. They still shared kisses from time to time, but it was nothing like this one. His lips lingered on hers, making her heart pound in excitement.
He pulled away from her and whispered, “I never stopped loving you. You know that, don’t you?”
Cupping his face in her hands, she smiled. “I know.” Deep down, she always knew there’d be no other but her in his life. “You know I love you?”
“Yes.”
With a wicked grin, she added, “And do you know this tub is big enough for two people?”
He chuckled. “I noticed that, but I thought you might want to take advantage of the fireplace. I believe you mentioned making love in front of one was one of your fantasies. There’s even a large rug by it.”
“Hmm… Tempting. Let’s do that later.”
“You sure?”
She got on her knees so she could pull his shirt over his head. “What’s the rush in getting out of the tub? We have all weekend.”
He kissed her again, this time letting his tongue trace along her bottom lip until she parted her mouth for him. Her nipples tingled in anticipation of his touch, and he didn’t disappoint her. While his tongue brushed against hers, his hands drifted down to her breasts, his thumbs lightly brushing the pink tips of her nipples. She let out a soft moan, aware of the pulsing heat welling between her legs as her body got ready for him.
His lips left hers and his mouth traveled down the length of her neck. Sighing, she ran her hands down his back. When she reached his pants, she brought her hands to his front and loosened the belt. How long had it been since she felt his cock, thick and hard with need, in her hands? It suddenly made no sense that they should deny each other the pleasure of one another’s bodies, and she determined that such a thing would never happen again.
She couldn’t reach down to the bulge that made his pants tight. Frustrated, she tugged at his zipper. “Will you get in the tub already?”
He chuckled. “Why so impatient?”
Even as she groaned in protest, she loved that he decided to tease her. He cupped her breasts in his hands and lowered his head so he could trace her nipples with his tongue. Her pussy clenched and she whimpered his name. She needed him inside her, filling her core and soothing the ache inside her.
“Relax, sweetheart,” he whispered as he straightened and slipped his hand into the water. Bringing his lips back to her mouth, he kissed her again. “Like you said, we have all weekend.”
She gasped when his fingers brushed her vagina. She parted her legs and shifted to further encourage him along. When he slid his finger into her pussy, she moaned and rubbed her clit against the palm of his hand.
He slid another finger into her. “Oh Paige, you’re so wet.”
“I need you,” she murmured as she kissed his ear, letting her tongue trace it just the way he liked.
He shivered and pressed his palm firmly against her clit. Appreciative of the stimulation he was giving her, she moved her hips. Each movement increased the mounting tension building in her body, and even if she wanted to, she couldn’t slow down. He knew exactly how to drive her wild and surely knew since they hadn’t made love in what seemed like forever that she was going to come hard and fast.
Ignoring the water as it splashed out of the tub, she grew more insistent as she rocked faster against his hand. Her body tensed while his fingers stroked her g-spot. It felt incredible. She never wanted it to end. And yet, even as she fought the inevitable, she couldn’t stop rubbing her clit on his palm. Then, in one blinding moment, her orgasm crashed over her, making her cry out and grab his arms while her pussy clenched tightly around his fingers.
“That’s it, baby,” he whispered, rubbing his palm over her to prolong her pleasure.
Out of breath, she collapsed in his arms. She closed her eyes and relished the lingering effects of her climax. He stroked her back and kissed her neck. For a moment, she was too weak to do anything but lean into him and take in the familiar scent of his aftershave.
Finally, after her head cleared, she kissed his cheek and then his lips. “Come into the tub. I need you inside me.”
“Still hungry for more?” he teased.
“Much more.” She didn’t mind admitting it, and by the thrilled look on his face, she knew he loved hearing it. “Get in here before I yank you in!”
Laughing, he stood up and unzipped his pants. Her pulsed raced as he lowered them to the floor.
“The boxers too, dear,” she said.
Still laughing, he obeyed and kicked the items to the side.
She licked her lips. Man, his penis looked wonderful. Before he could step into the tub, she wrapped her hand around his shaft and slid her hand up to the tip which moistened. She brought her tongue to his pre-cum and tasted him. Knowing it would drive him wild, she murmured, “Yummy,” and brought her mouth over his head and swirled her tongue around the ridge of his tip. He groaned and squeezed her shoulders.
With one hand, she cupped his balls and lightly played with them while she used her other hand to pump up and down the shaft of his cock. Then she flicked her tongue over his tip, teasing him. If he could torment her, she could do the same to him. And she thoroughly enjoyed the way he groaned as his cock grew harder in her grasp.
“I want to be inside you when I come, honey,” he whispered.
She wanted that too so she pulled away from him and waited for him to join her in the tub. As soon as he was settled in, she straddled him and kissed him, long and hard. She brought her pussy down over his penis so he could slide into her. With a soft cry that matched his, she moved her hips up and down. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her.
Their tongues mingled while she rode him. The water continued to splash around them and out of the tub, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered at the moment was the mounting need driving them closer to ecstasy. There were few things better than the feel of a hard cock thrusting into her. She was crazy to deny this pleasure for her and for him all those months. Yes, it’d been much too long—something she vowed would never happen again.
His fingers dug into her hips as he guided her along. She ended their kiss and angled her body so that her clit was intimately rubbing against him. Usually, she only came once, but their lovemaking was so intense she could feel her body getting ready for another climax. She worked fast and hard on top of him, her pussy moving up and down his cock. His cock, in turn, stroked her, making her feel incredibly sexy, as did his groans of pleasure.
“Come on, baby. Come to me,” he cried out, his body growing tense beneath her. “I can’t hold out anymore.”
“Yes! Now!” she screamed as she reached the peak and another blissful orgasm engulfed her.
He moaned and stiffened. His cock throbbed as he filled her with his seed. Her pussy clenched tightly around him, greedily taking all the cum he had for her. Closing her eyes, she savored the moment. She loved it when he came inside her, and sharing an orgasm together didn’t happen often so it was especially sweet.
Again, she fell into his arms, gasping for air. “Oh wow,” she said. “That was...amazing.”
“You can say that again,” he replied, also out of breath.
Once she regained her composure, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I guess my sister and her husband had a pretty good idea.”
He smiled and kissed her back. “Yeah. This means I won’t have to kill them for concocting this crazy scheme.”
Chuckling, she held him close. Sure, they would still have their problems. What couple didn’t? But now that they were going to make an effort to spend more time together, she knew they could work through those problems just as they’d managed to work through other problems in the past ten years of their marriage.
And for this weekend, they were free from the kids and the demands from his job so there was only one thing to do: make love and enjoy every minute of it.