“Are you really going to do this spread? I mean not to speak out of turn, but part of the charm of Summerville is we’re kind of low-key. The attention from your magazine might bring more than we want.”
“I’m very good at what I do. And it’s all in how you handle the spread. Will Summerville see more activity? Of course, but a small town getting revenue from tourists is never a bad thing. I won’t be advertising Hank’s address won’t even be showing the whole property, just teases. And at the end of the day, it’s Hank’s decision and he’s made it.”
Henry pushed his plate aside, leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “No disrespect, Ms. Haywood, but we’ve lived in this town for thirty-six years and Catherine knows what she’s talking about.” Catherine sat up straighter and if she had feathers, she would have ruffled them at her husband’s endorsement. He finished with, “Maybe this is a matter that should be brought to the council.”
Arissa reached for her water, took a sip to find a bit of calm. Funny how this conversation waited until the one it actually impacted wasn’t in the room. She turned her attention on Henry. “We can certainly take it to council.” She leaned back in her chair. “But given the statistics of what kind of money we’re talking about flowing into your local economy, there’s no chance the council would vote against it.” She then turned hard eyes on Catherine. “But considering your son has already agreed, it seems to me this is undermining him and his decision. I am quite certain that isn’t your intention.”
Catherine huffed and glanced over at Henry speaking to him as if Arissa wasn’t there. “City girls, always thinking about money.” Then she looked at Arissa and spoke firmly. “Are you saying we don’t know what’s best for our Hank?” Catherine let out a sarcastic chuckle before she sat back in her chair. Her eyes held Arissa’s when she shot at her, “Oh, are you a mom too?”
If she wasn’t Hank’s mother… Arissa took a deep breath because what she wanted to do was walk out, but she wouldn’t do that to Hank. She sought for calm, and was careful not to bite out her next words. “No, I’m not a mother. I’m simply stating he’s already made the decision. He says he doesn’t want the spread done, I won’t do it.” She let a little heat in her tone when she added, “But I answer to Hank and only Hank.”
“Who only answers to me?” Hank asked loudly when he walked into the room holding two bottles of beer. He handed one to Arissa with a smile.
“Oh, you’re back, Honey.” His mom rose and started collecting the plates on the table. “Arissa, would you be a dear and help me clear.” She smiled wide at her then added, “I heard the apple crumb cake from Dehlia’s was your favorite, so I got one for dessert.” Catherine looked up at Hank who smiled at his mom for making his girl feel special.
Arissa’s jaw dropped for the second time that night, her eyes burned with frustration at the two faces of Catherine Weathers, but two could play that game. She smiled even wider. “Of course, Catherine, and thank you so much for thinking of me.” Arissa stood, grabbed a plate, walked to Hank, took the bottle of beer and downed the whole fucking thing. She glanced back at the three in the room. “That hit the spot.” Then walked into the kitchen.
“Our pleasure,” Catherine shouted to a retreating Arissa then turned to Hank. “What a lovely woman. A drinker.” She rolled her eyes and finished, “But a sweet one, Honey.”
“Thanks, Ma,” Hank chuckled.
Arissa had been on her way back into the dining room when she heard Catherine talking to Hank. To say the evening had been a disaster was fair, but it wasn’t just about a clashing of personalities. The Belles had said Catherine was overprotective, but the shit she’d pulled on Arissa, lying about Phoebe and tonight, this was more. Arissa didn’t know what fueled the woman’s behavior, and had it been anyone else she’d have scratched them off, but Arissa loved Hank, and he loved his mother. For him, she’d figure out what was bothering her and make it right.
* * *
Hank lifted one hand and palmed Arissa’s tit, his thumb rubbing her hard nipple while his other went to her hip where his fingers dug into the soft flesh. “Fuck, that’s it,” he groaned when she picked up the pace. He could tell by her labored breaths, glaze in her eyes that she was getting close. “Find it, Baby.”
Arissa moved faster, her head fell back as the tingles started, right before the orgasm overtook her. “Fuck, yes,” ripped from her throat.
Hank watched the beauty of Arissa while she rode out her orgasm. Giving her a minute before he did an ab curl, tagged her around the waist and rolled them dropping her on her back. Hank lifted to his knees and drove deep and hard. With every plunge into Arissa’s pussy, her moans grew louder while his groans rumbled up from his chest. Hank felt his release coursing through his body, the warmth growing into heat as it settled in his balls and shot up his shaft. He withdrew from Arissa and grabbed his wet cock and began stroking it, seconds before the first jet of cum shot out and landed on Arissa’s belly.
“That is fucking hot as hell,” she whispered in a husky voice.
He kept up slowly milking his cock until he had no more to give; his eyes never left hers. He winked and with a heavy voice said, “Watching you ride my cock is fucking hot, Baby.”
She ran her finger through his cum before she
