The winter weather had returned with a vengeance, and I had just helped clear the sidewalks of six inches of winter wonderland. Snake was busy on the Bobcat clearing the lot, while most of the Club was off at work or school. We finished up about the same time, taking off our coats and hanging them up by the entrance. “I can’t wait for the trip,” I said.
“I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I joined the Club,” Snake said. “Last year I was in the Sandbox. Not the kind of beach I was hoping for.” He had been part of the Gulf War buildup, spending months in Saudi Arabia before taking part in the liberation of Iraq. His unit had been part of the takeover of the International Airport in Baghdad, and he earned a Bronze Star for actions in the war. “So, when I was finally allowed to end my service, I couldn’t get here fast enough. My father was a Vietnam vet just like Viper, so I’ve grown up with the club.”
“I haven’t met your father, is he down south now?”
“He died five years ago, a year after my Mom. I went into the Army shortly after that.”
“Any other family?”
He shook his head. “Some distant cousins, that’s about it. My family is here,” he said as he looked around the clubhouse.
“Mine too,” I said softly. I smiled as he poured my hot chocolate for me.
“The kids should be here in twenty minutes, they were out making snowmen,” he said. “Help me with lunch?”
“Sure.” I picked up my mug and followed him into the kitchen; he fired up the grill while I started buttering bread for grilled cheese sandwiches. Potato chips and lemonade rounded out the meal. We were working like a well-oiled machine together; he was growing on me. I kept wondering what he would be like if he was a wolf, he was the kind of guy I might choose. Even if he IS five years younger than me.
My thoughts were interrupted by the noise of the door opening and eight young kids coming in. Kelly helped them take their snow suits, hats, boots and gloves off. I went and helped them get seated at the table as Snake brought the food out in trays. We ate with them, laughing and hearing the stories of their morning, and it made me feel warm and happy, like I belonged.
Snake went back in to clean up while I helped Kelly for an hour in the classroom upstairs. When their nap time came, I was tired as well. I went down the hallway to my room, thinking maybe chilling out with a movie with Snake might be fun. I knocked on his door; hearing nothing, I opened it and went in.
I had just closed the door when Snake walked out of the bathroom, a towel being rubbed over his head as he dried off from his shower. I froze, unable to take my eyes away from his body. He wasn’t musclebound, but he was well put-together; I could see his six-pack as he moved his arms, but that wasn’t what really caught my eye.
He was naked, and I saw immediately how he got the nickname ‘snake.’
He moved his towel to his shoulders and froze as he saw me. We just looked at each other, neither looking away, as the mood of the room changed. I could smell and see his arousal as I finally moved towards him; he dropped the towel and pulled me into his chest. I leaned back, my hands going around his waist and up his back as he dropped his lips down to mine. It was dominant, possessive, and I loved every second of our first kiss.
He pulled back, both of us catching our breath, before he took hold of my sweater and T-shirt and pulled them up and over my head. I was taking off my bra before it hit the floor, and he dropped to his knees to remove my jeans. In seconds, I was naked and in his arms and it felt so good, I didn’t want to think about what it might mean.
We spent the rest of the afternoon together, making love over and over until we fell asleep, legs entwined, bodies sticking together, my head on his shoulder. At least, that’s how I found myself when Moose started banging on the door. “Hey Snake, wake the hell up, those burgers aren’t going to cook themselves,” he yelled.
I looked at Snake, he was panicked and I was covering my laughter by burying my head in his shoulder. “I’ll be down in ten,” he said, and we heard Moose move away.
“Busted,” he said as his head dropped back into the pillow.
“Take a quick shower,” I said. I pulled on my jeans and T-shirt, holding my other clothes and boots in my hand. I moved to the door, peeking out I didn’t see anyone to witness my walk of shame, so I ran quickly into my room to take my own shower. Putting on fresh clothes, and pulling my hair back in a ponytail, I looked at myself in the mirror. I groaned, pulling the sweater off and digging through my dresser to find a turtleneck that would cover the hickies he’d left on my neck. By the time I got downstairs, the clubhouse was filling up and Snake was slammed with dinner orders.