Once Upon an Arizona Sunset

Chapter 10

I was terrified to stay home alone. So when Chuck left for work I packed up Loki and went to visit my parents. 

“Mom!?” I called, walking into the house. There was no answer, so I headed upstairs to my bedroom. I still had stuff here, we had moved all my furniture and most of my clothes over, but I hadn’t packed up the intricate parts of my childhood. I put a box onto the bed which I had left behind, then I started taking trinkets off shelves. Trophies from when I was in gymnastics, packing them away with the teddy bears and drawings of my youth. I felt nostalgic, oh how I missed those days. I wiped the dust off of my favourite trophy. 

Western Gymnastics Champion 2006

I couldn’t pack it away to where it may never be seen again, so instead I set it on the side of the bed to come with me. When I was finished clearing the shelves I started on my bookcase. What to do with these? I loved to read. Honestly while I was in school I didn’t have enough time. But maybe I should bring the books and get Chuck to help me bring the case over. I ran my finger over the spines of the hard covers. Some of my favourites popping out, Harry Potter, Stuart Little, the Hobbit…. Children’s stories, ones that I still loved. Above those, the young adult novels that I relished in as a teenager. The Outsiders, The Catcher in The Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird. I put them all into boxes and packed them out to my car. I set the trophy on the passenger seat. When I walked back into the house my parents were coming down the stairs. Their faces flushed. Oh my god. What had they been doing? 

“Oh!” My mother said when she saw me. 

“Oh?” I asked her. My father giggled. Oh my god they had been doing it. I tried not to freak. Be an adult, be an adult. I thought to myself. 

“How’s it going baby girl?” My daddy asked me. 

“Good, I was just getting some stuff from my room.” I said. He kissed me on the cheek. 

“How’s Connor?” I asked. 

“We visited him yesterday. He looks healthier.” My mother said. I smiled. I really wanted him to smarten up. Why was he such a heartache? 

“I don’t want to see him.” I said to her. She was quiet for a minute. 

“I know Peyton and you don’t have too. You’ve been there for him time and time again.” She said, I was surprised she was so understanding he was her baby. I nodded, happy that she wasn’t upset with me. 

“How’s things with Chuck?” My dad asked. I smiled. I couldn’t help it. I felt so happy with him. 

“That good hey?” He said. I looked at him and nodded. 

“Yes daddy.” I said, still smiling. 

“Are you in love?” He asked me. I smiled again. 

“Head over heels, stupidly in love.” I said still beaming from ear to ear. 

“I’m going to marry him.” I said. It felt good to be so honest with them. My dad smiled. My mother didn't change her face. 

“What?” I asked her cautiously. She shook her head. 

“Mom?” I asked again. She sighed heavily, running her hands through her long black hair.

“Peyton, aren’t marines dangerous. I mean don’t they have PTSD and stuff?” She asked. 

“Dangerous?” I asked her. 

“Well can’t they fly off the wall?” She asked.  I shook my head. 

“Chuck isn’t dangerous, he doesn’t fly off the wall.” I said. 

“Are you sure? I mean, you’ve only lived with him a week.” She said. I knew she was right about that. But Chuck was good, I didn’t want to tell her everything. But maybe a little would help. 

“He sees a counsellor. He lost a leg in his last deployment. He had to work through that. But Chuck is very positive. He and Liam have one another as extra support.” I said. Hoping she would accept that. 

“I think he’s a very honourable man, I really like him.” My father said, interrupting her. She looked at him a minute. 

“He lost a leg?” She asked. I nodded. She was quiet again and she didn’t talk about it again. I let it go. She needed to stew on this. I couldn’t spend my whole day there so after a few coffees and some chatting I headed home. Before I pulled in the drive I drove around the block checking for Pierce. There was no sign of him. I pulled into the garage and closed the door quickly so he wouldn’t be able to see that I was there. I let Loki out in the back yard and went back to the garage to get the books. I set the boxes in the living room. It was after lunch so I put a pot roast into the oven. I felt nervous being here alone so I texted Norra. I was trying to give Olivia space, let her come to me. 

Want to come over?

She texted me back right away. 

I’m at Olivia’s why don’t you come over

Ok it would be stupid if I didn’t walk over there, I had to do it. I put Loki away and then peered out the windows checking for Pierce, no sign of him. I ran to Olivia’s. I didn’t knock, I just went in. 

“Hello!” I called. I heard Olivia call back to me from the Kitchen. 

“Hi,” She said smiling at me when I rounded the corner. She looked pretty good. A little brighter. 

“What are you two up to?” I asked them. 

“We were going to see if you wanted to go get some more home stuff.” Norra said, smiling. I nodded, 

“Yes, I need curtains, remember.” I said smiling.  They nodded. 

“Let’s take your car.” I said to Olivia. I didn’t want Pierce having the opportunity to spot me anywhere. We spent the afternoon looking for decor. Weaving our way in and out of stores. No matter where I went though I kept checking over my shoulder for a tail. When we left Bed Bath and Beyond and headed towards Homesense Olivia called me out.

“What are you looking for?” She asked. 

“That guy who was outside my house the other day.” I said. No point in lying. 

“Why is that bothering you?” She asked. Can I tell them without telling them everything? I tried to come up with the words. 

“His name is Pierce.” I started as we walked through throw pillows. I grabbed a few for the couch. Acting casual, when I was anything but casual about this. 

“He’s someone that I used to spend time with. He wanted me to date him, I didn’t want to. He got rough with me. Connor beat him up and told him if he ever came near me again he’d kill him.” I said, I kept it simple. I didn’t need to tell them the whole truth. 

“Have you seen him again?” Norra asked. I shook my head no. 

“Do you think he’s scared off?” Olivia asked. 

“I doubt it. It had to get very physical last time. When Connor was done with him he couldn’t even walk. Yet here he is, following me again.” I said. 

“Does Chuck know he’s from your past?” Norra asked. 

“No, but I have to tell him tonight.” I said, I couldn’t keep this a secret. But I would tell him more than I had them. I grabbed some hangers off the shelf as we walked by them. 

“On a brighter side, Chuck said he wants me to be his wife.” I said. 

“Oh my god!” Norra squealed. I smiled. 

“Really?” Olivia asked. I nodded. 

“Yes, we discussed it. We are going to live together a while. But he said he’d love to marry me.” I said. 

“Eeeee!” Norra squealed happily. 

“I know, guys I’ve fallen head over heels.” I said. Grabbing some curtains from the racks. Olivia pulled me into a hug.

“I’m so happy for you.” She said squeezing me tight. I smiled, I felt so happy for me too. 

“Have you and Liam talked about the wedding?” I asked her, it might be too soon. But I hoped they’d discussed it. 

“No, maybe I’m crazy but I feel wrong thinking about something so happy when I am supposed to be sad.” She said. 

“No Olivia, I think you guys should be allowed to be happy!” Norra said. Olivia smiled at her. 

“Awe I love both of you.” She said, pulling us into a hug. We got out of the mall at 5. Dropping Norra off at home on our way by. Olivia did what I had done that morning. Driving the block looking for anyone creepy. Then she pulled into my drive and helped me take my stuff inside. Chuck and Liam were there. Liam hopped in with Olivia and they headed home. I pulled the roast out of the oven and served us some dinner. Chuck helped me clean up the kitchen after. I decided it was a good time to discuss Pierce. 

“I’m scared to be home alone.” I said. 

“Why?” He asked. 

“Well, because the guy that was watching me the other night. I do know him.” I said, slightly embarrassed that I had lied. 

“Oh?” He asked me. 

“His name’s Pierce. We starred in some of those films together.” I said quietly. He didn’t say anything for a minute, then he pulled me into his arms. 

“It’s ok.” He said. I smiled into his chest. Even though I wasn’t actually sure if it was Ok. 

“I don’t know if it is. He came after me when I was a teen.” I said. 

“Oh?” He asked. 

“Connor took him out into the desert, beat him into a mass of bruises and threatened to kill him if he came near me again.” I said, 

“Shit.” Chuck said quietly. 

“I thought he’d be gone for good. But now, I’m worried he won’t leave.” I said quietly. 

“Liam and I will deal with him if he comes back.” He said, I was worried about what that meant, but I believed him. 

“I’m home for the weekend and maybe I’ll start taking random days off.” He said. I smiled. I let myself relax against his muscled chest. 

“I should finish cleaning.” I said, pulling away from him. He swatted my rear. 

“Yea woman, scrub those pots.” He said kiddingly. I smiled and pulled the faucet out, turning on the spray and soaking his white t-shirt. The fabric clung to his body, revealing his rippled abs and his massive pecs. I smiled while he stared at me shocked. 

“Sorry you looked dirty.” I said giggling. 

“Not near as dirty as I’m about to be.” He said grabbing me as I turned to flee. He crushed his body to mine, his mouth plastering to my mouth. His hands wrapping around my body. 

“You’re such a bad girl.” He said, sliding the zipper down the back of my dress. It fell to a pool of fabric at my feet. I wasn’t wearing a bra. He trailed his fingers down my chest, stopping to rub my n*****s between his thumbs and forefingers. I felt dampness at the juncture of my thighs. 

“Peyton, you are so perfect.” He said, bringing his mouth to the tops of my breasts. I moaned and pushed myself into his hands. His hand trailed down my belly. Leaving a tingling path behind it. No one had ever made my skin come alive the way that his touch did. His hands wrapped around to my buttocks lifting me and setting me down on the kitchen island. He tore my panties from me. Discarding them on the floor. 

“I love you.” I moaned into his ear as he inserted a finger in me. 

“I love you too. How can you be so wet so quick?” He asked me. I smiled, looking into his eyes.

“It’s you, I always want you.” I said. He smiled. He thrust his finger in and out of me. Working the front wall until I came. I cried out. Arching my back, curling my toes, throwing my head back. 

“Ah yes!” I cried, my body quivering from the release. He grabbed my ankles, yanking me towards him. Then scooping me up. My legs wrapping around his waist. He walked into the living room. Sitting down on the couch with me in his lap. I worked his zipper, pulling his erection from inside his jeans. I lowered myself onto him, enveloping him within my moist folds. 

“God yes,” He said. His fingers digging into the skin on my backside. I lifted myself up and down, rocking my hips forward in unison. Working us both towards release. I quickened my pace. His finger’s digging tighter. 

“f**k me.” I cried, engulfing his erection entirely with each drop of my hips. I had never been filled so perfectly, never had someone who fit me the way that he did. 

“You’re so big.” I moaned into his ear. 

“You’re so tight.” He cried into mine. I leaned back to get a different angle, thrusting myself up and down as my release cascaded over me. Chuck gripped my hips tightly, keeping me moving as he emptied himself into me. We cried out in unison. Gripping one another’s sweaty bodies. My eye’s moved towards the front window. There stood a dark figure outside in the shadows. Pierce, watching us. A sly smirk on his face. His erection in his hand.