“That’s enough.” For a moment he slowed the Jeep, then suddenly stopped in the middle of the dusty road. His hand cupped one side of her face. “You do know, Jenny, that I’ll have to spend the night to use my new toothbrush.”

She closed her eyes, already feeling his touch all over her in her mind. She’d had sex several times in her life, but making love was very rare, and from the looks of it, she’d just hit the mother lode.

“Let’s go check on your father and stay as long as it takes to see what is going on, then I’d like you to undress me again and hold me all night. It seems I’ve become addicted to your touch.”

“I will do exactly that, dear,” he said formally, as if she’d given him an assignment.

His hands were gripping the steering wheel.

She couldn’t look into his eyes, but she could read him clearly now. Her shy professor was fighting the need for her, and if she had anything to do with it, he wouldn’t have to wait long.

Chapter 23 - Benjamin

Chapter 23

Benjamin

When Ben pulled onto his father’s farm, he saw his dad standing in the wide yard beneath a grove of pecan trees. He had his work clothes on and his boots, but he’d shaved and his clothes were clean.

He hadn’t dressed up to greet his wandering wife. If she finally came to see him, he must have thought she should see him exactly as he was. Joseph Monroe was a farmer. He had been all his life. He loved his land.

Ben parked the Jeep in the shade by the barn, as he always did, and walked across to his father. Jenny climbed out but waited in the shade. She was giving them time. Ben had no idea how much he’d need.

As he approached, Ben thought of how the farm had changed over the years since his mom had been here. Apple trees, ten feet high, ran the fence line out front for half a mile. There was a new windmill in the pasture a few hundred yards behind the house, and a hay barn as well as a pole barn at the turnoff to his dad’s place.

The house was still small, four rooms downstairs and three upstairs, but his dad had added on a wide porch. With the pecan trees close to the house, the yard almost looked like a park, with paths leading every direction over uneven ground spotted with wildflowers and natural vegetation.

Years ago his dad had planted a rose garden; he’d even built a gazebo where Ben used to do his homework. It wasn’t fancy, but when the days were warm the vines wrapped around the latticework, making the place cool and colorful.