Wild Ride by Rebecca Avery

out his large Nerf gun .  Turning to Ben he aimed the gun at him and said, “Better get moving there, private, we got a lot of ground to cover tomorrow and a battle to fight when we get there!”
    Ben squealed and then ran laughing into the house.  Matt remained where he was until Chuck turned the gun on him and pulled the trigger shooting him in the arm.  He then took off running for the house as well, laughing the whole way.  Carla smiled her thanks and then looked to where Meredith sat.
    Taking aim at Meredith he said , “This here gun says I’m in charge.  If you give me any shit… any at all… fight me… or pinch my ass again… I’m going to pump you full of sponge loaded bullets.”
    “Meredith!” Carla said in shock .
    “Now who owes two quarters?” Meredith asked him .
    He couldn’t hold in the laugh or the smile.  Carla rolled her eyes at them and then headed in the house after the boys.  He stuffed the helmet and the Nerf gun in his backpack and zipped it up before handing it to Meredith.
    Looking down at her , he put his hands on his hips.  Better to get whatever this was they were doing… playing… teasing… flirting … whatever… out in the open.  Reigning in this attraction to her was not only smart but necessary.
    “Thanks for making me do this , Chuck,” she said suddenly as tears formed in her eyes.  Oh no…not that…anything but that.
    He wasn’t real sure what to say as she swiped at her tears , “Sure…anytime.” 
    Then , realizing she was on the verge of really crying, he knelt down in front of her and tipped her face up and said, “The fake foot thing really might help.  If they don’t come with fake hair I can always paint some on it so it blends in with your leg.”
    She laughed through her tears and said , “You are obnoxious, do you know that?  I’ll shave my damn legs already.”
    “Need some help?” he asked with a grin.  Damn shouldn’t have said that.   The words conjured images in his mind better left alone.
    Leaning forward she said , “You’d like that wouldn’t you?”
    “Every bit as much as you would ,” he said as he watched her lips move.  He’d like to kiss that smart mouth of hers.  So much for reigning in the attraction.
    She finished wiping the last of her tears as he stood up . “Come on.  Let’s get you upstairs.  I have to get going, I need to get to work early to start prepping for a paint job I got this weekend,” he said.
    “Paint job?” she asked as he knelt down with his back to her and she again moved against him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    Standing up and adjusting her , he said, “Yea it’s the last of four custom motorcycles we built.”
    Handing her his backpack and then g rabbing the chair, he headed toward the house.
    “Will you take a picture of it and bring it with you so I can see it when you’re done?” she asked.
    “I’m doing the base coat tomorrow and then Saturday I’m doing the detail work.  You want to hang with me at the shop on Saturday while your mom and the boys are gone?” he asked. 
    What the hell…he must be possessed by Satan himself to play with fire like this… why did he ask her that?
    “I wouldn’t be in the way?” she asked against his neck.  God Almighty, give him strength.  Was she doing that on purpose?
    Swallowing hard he said , “No…but I’ll be in the booth part and you’ll have to watch through the window.”
    “Ok…what time?” she asked as he dropped off the chair in the breakfast nook.
    “Umm , I need to get there by nine in the morning so I’d have to pick you up around eight thirty,” he said.
    “Ok…I’ll be ready.  I’ll dress more appropriately and I might even shave my legs ,” she laughed.
    He climbed the stairs and made his way into her room and sat her on the bed.  She scooted over as he stood up and turned to her.
    “Do you need anything,” he asked.
    “No , I’m good,” she replied.
    “Alright then… night,