Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
The icy wind whips at me as we bounce along in the trailer. A mile or so from the main hub of the town is the revered Costco. I’m pleased to see they at least have armed guards at this place. I follow a guy whose name I learned is Gus into the massive building. It’s dark and cavernous. Battery-operated lanterns light a way into the abyss of the wholesale store. As we head toward the back, I see light and can hear the hum of a generator. It’s all very organized with people instructing us on what to grab and where to go. I’m even able to peek into the refrigerated room and its dwindling supply of foods that haven’t yet spoiled.
What happens when they run out?
An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. Maybe they’re all under the impression that we’re experiencing a minor disruption to everyday life. That help is on the way and by next week or next month, everything will be back to normal.
They haven’t seen what I’ve seen.
Guilt threatens to swallow me whole. I should be grabbing each person, shaking them hard by the shoulders, and warning them of what’s out there. That after their supplies are gone, they’ll most likely turn to violence in an effort to survive.
But who am I to ruin their day?
Something tells me they wouldn’t believe me anyway. My group would get kicked out of here and that’s the last thing we need right now.
I spend the rest of the afternoon working to earn my keep and don’t end up seeing Kellen or my group until after dinner. Who knew cheap spaghetti and green beans could the best meal I’ve ever eaten? And, the best part, there was plenty of leftover spice cake to go around.
By the time we reach our motel room, I’m stuffed and content.
“Ready for our date?” Kellen asks, smirking at me as we enter our room. “If this weren’t the end of the world, I’d have done something much more impressive.”
The door closes behind me and I take in the space. There are a couple of battery-operated candles flickering on the end table near the bed. Next to the candles, an old battery-operated radio plays music. The beer I’d procured sits beside that.
“How?” I ask, walking over to the sweet sounds of Aerosmith playing from the raspy speaker.
When we checked the car radio a while back, we were met with lots of static and just that one station broadcasting Stovepipe Wells as a safe haven.
“I’m resourceful,” Kellen says, coming up behind me to wrap me in his arms. “While you were out working, I was too. Jared asked me to deliver some meals and medicine to the homebound elderly folks. They were just as eager as Jared to trade information for stuff.” He gestures toward the candles and radio. “One old man had that CD player and a whole case of CDs that belonged to his son who’s now grown and lives in Maryland. Said he was happy for it to go to a good home.”
I turn in Kellen’s arms, resting my head on his shoulder. We both lazily sway to the music, hands teasing at one another.
“This is nice,” I murmur, my lips finding his neck. “It’d be even nicer if you were naked.”
His rich laughter makes me laugh too. Then the two of us are pawing at each other like we’re desperate for this moment.
We are desperate for this moment.
Kellen undresses before I do and as soon as my boxers are kicked away, he pushes me onto the bed. His lips meet mine hungrily as he settles his weight on my body. I’m aching for his touch and kisses. We both want…more. So much more.
He’s in no hurry, though. His kisses are eager and passionate, but he teases me with slow thrusts of his hips. He bites at my bottom lip and whispers filthy words that drive me closer and closer to the edge of sanity. Without warning, he pulls back, panting heavily.
“Why’d you stop?” I complain, reaching for him. “Come back to me.”
Kellen’s grin is crooked and almost boyish. “I’m only getting started, Ty. And I’ll keep coming back to you as long as you’ll have me.”
I like that answer.
“I’d wanted this date to be romantic,” he says, smile falling. “Drink a beer or two. Talk. But I can’t seem to keep my hands off you long enough to carry on a conversation.”
“I don’t want beer or to chat right now, Kell, I want you. We can talk later.”
I claw at his shoulders, drawing him closer to me. I need to kiss him. Kellen senses my desires and crashes his lips to mine, desperately—like this might be our one and only time.
I hope to hell it’s not.
After a heated, blissful moment together where we’re both fully satisfied in the end, I bask in his comforting presence, my heart rate finally slowing to a more regular cadence.