Crossroads: the Chance City Series Book Three
Copyright© 2023 by Robin Deeter
Chapter 11
Romantic Sex Story: Chapter 11 - Carter “Wheels” Ellis doubts that he’ll ever find a wife since he’s a paraplegic. But Nora Guthrie has strong feelings for him, and they begin a powerful romance. Sparks fly between Mayor Carly Branson and male prostitute Ray Stratton despite their mutual hate. Or is it love? Four people come to important crossroads. Will they find happiness, or take a wrong turn and end up heartbroken?
Caution: This Romantic Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Consensual Heterosexual Fiction Historical Mystery Western
No sooner had Nora come in the door of Wheels’ house than Ollie was on her, jumping onto her shoulder from a kitchen chair.
“What’s gotten into you?” she asked, laughing.
Ollie made his bird-like noises and kissed her before leaping up on top of the cupboards and then across to the icebox. Wheels came into the kitchen, looking as excited as Ollie. His dark eyes shone with happiness and his broad grin made her pulse speed up.
“Hello, sugar. Did you have a good day?”
When she went to kiss him, he wound an arm around her waist and pulled her down onto his lap so he could kiss her soundly.
Nora was breathless by the time he released her. “You’re both full of yourselves.”
“Yeah. We can’t help it. I can’t believe it’s finally here. My release day!”
Nora hugged him and laughed as he performed a fast spin. “I’m so happy!” she said. “And now we can go to Benny’s and celebrate.”
Wheels stopped moving and embraced her. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. Thank you so much for helping to keep me sane.”
Nora ran her fingers through the hair at his temple. “You got a haircut today and you’re wearing a nice outfit. You look very handsome. What’s the occasion?”
Wheels said, “This is the first time I’ve been able to take out the woman I love, so I wanted to look presentable.”
She ran a hand down the gray paisley vest he wore over a white dress shirt. “Well, you certainly look presentable, man that I love.”
Their lips met and Nora closed her eyes, letting herself get caught up in the powerful attraction that flowed between them. Ollie scrambled up onto Nora’s lap and sat making chirruping noises at them. They laughed against each other’s mouths and broke apart. Ollie flipped over, coaxing them to pet his belly.
Nora grabbed him and wrestled with him for a few moments, making Wheels laugh. Ollie went berserk, leaping over onto the table and then up to the cabinets while he grunted and squealed.
“Now you did it,” he said. “You get to babysit him at Benny’s since you got him even more wound up.”
Nora kissed him briefly and got up. “I don’t mind.”
It amazed Wheels how much Nora loved Ollie. She played with him and spoiled him as much as he did. Wheels got a kick out of the way she liked to tuck Ollie into his little bed at night and the way she constantly talked to him. She’d even taught Ollie to do flips on command, clapping for joy whenever the monkey did them successfully.
Ollie loved her back wholeheartedly, kissing and hugging her, and watching her whenever she was around. He liked to tease her by stealing things from her and then running away, setting off a game of tag.
Nora said, “I’m ready, Mr. Ellis.”
“What you are, is beautiful,” Wheels said.
She curtsied to him, fanning out the skirt of her deep blue dress. “Thank you, kind sir.”
“You’re welcome.” He put his coat on and clapped his hands together once. “Ready to go dance?”
“Yes, I am. Move out, Corporal!”
He saluted her. “Yes, ma’am!”
Wheels’ return to society was met with great fanfare when he and Nora arrived at Benny’s. Nora loved watching Wheels surrounded by his friends, being greeted warmly and teased. Some of them had visited him during his confinement, but she knew that being at one of his favorite haunts again meant the world to him. Her gregarious beau was in his element as he traded good-natured jibes and insults with people he hadn’t seen in a month.
Benny said, “Your money’s no good here, Wheels. You and Nora drink for free.”
Wheels shook his hand. “Thanks, Benny. Much appreciated.”
Suddenly he was pulled backward and spun around until he faced the piano. Looking behind him, he saw Cotton Lone Wolf smiling at him.
“Humor an old man and play a song. We’ve missed hearing you. Ollie has it all ready for you.”
During all the celebrating, Wheels had lost track of the monkey, who now sat on top of the piano. He’d opened the lid to the keyboard and jumped up and down as Wheels rolled over to the instrument. Lovingly, he ran his fingers over the keys, saying hello to his old friend.
Aaron and Brock took up their instruments, ready to play whatever their buddy chose as his first song. Wheels struck up a lively tune, playing with flair and joy, which was felt by Benny’s patrons. Soon the dance floor was crowded with couples who spun and swayed to the beat.
At the beginning of the second song, Wheels heard a sound that made him grin. Glancing over his left shoulder, he spotted his little sister, Maggie, playing spoons. He didn’t know when she’d come in, but he was glad to see her. She grinned back at him and winked as she played, keeping up a rhythm that perfectly matched his playing.
Nora didn’t lack for dancing partners, being asked by a different man as soon as each song began. Wheels watched her off and on, smiling as she laughed with whomever she was dancing with. After a few songs, he made Maggie take his place at the piano so he could go dance with Nora.
“C’mon, sugar. My turn,” he told her.
Nora eagerly sat on his lap. “I would be delighted.”
Wheels tipped back his chair a little and spun while Nora laughed and hung on tightly. The Ellis and Guthrie families watched the couple, glad to see them so happy. When the song was over, Cotton’s nephew, Daniel, tried to dance with Nora, but Wheels started a game of keep away, backing away with Nora still on his lap.
Everyone laughed as Wheels performed both evasive and offensive moves that were impressive given that he held Nora on his lap as he did so. He put on a good show for several minutes before going back to playing piano. Nora fetched them a couple of drinks and went to sit by the piano.
“I can’t do this,” Carly said, turning around.
Ray took her by the shoulders and made her face Benny’s again. “Yes, you can. We’re just going dancing. You’re a great dancer.”
Carly groaned and almost stamped her foot. “Not this sort of dancing, Ray. I don’t know many of these people.”
Ray said, “I feel the same way whenever I go to one of those boring parties of yours, but you don’t hear me whine about it. You gotta get to know my friends, too. I’ve gotten to know some of yours and they’re not so bad. You’ll find the same thing with mine.”
Closing her eyes for a moment, Carly called on her considerable inner strength and quelled her butterflies before reopening them. “You’re right. It’s only fair. Besides, it’s bound to be much more fun than the usual functions I attend.”
“Thatta girl. Let’s go have a good time, Mayor Branson.”
Ray offered her his arm, and she took it, smiling up at him as they went inside.
When Benny saw Carly, he almost dropped a bottle of whiskey in shock. The mayor wasn’t known to frequent saloons, and she’d never set foot in his establishment before. He gave Ray a wide-eyed stare, silently telling him that he was crazy for bringing Carly in there.
“Benny, I think you know this lovely lady here,” Ray said, grinning.
Benny nodded. “I certainly do. Mayor Branson, it’s good to see you, ma’am.”
Carly gave him a practiced conspiratorial smile. “I’m not the mayor tonight. I’m here to kick up my heels a little, so just call me Carly.”
Ray and Benny exchanged surprised looks.
Recovering, Benny said, “Well, you came to the right place. What can I get you to drink?”
“Whiskey,” Carly answered promptly, enjoying Ray’s unbelieving expression.
Benny gave her a shot, which she downed in one gulp. She handed her glass back to Benny, requesting a refill.
Ray got a beer and steered her away from the bar. “You might want to take it a little easy.”
She shot him an annoyed glace. “Don’t worry. I won’t get fall-down drunk. I’m just loosening up a little. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“But nothing. Show me how to do that dance,” she demanded, motioning towards the dance floor.
Ray grinned. “All right. You asked for a good time, so I’m gonna show you one.”
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Carly put her fear of embarrassment aside and concentrated on the steps Ray demonstrated to her, determined to master the dance. It didn’t take her long and soon she was enjoying herself, even when she made a misstep. She laughed with Ray and started talking to the other dancers.
Cotton cut in on their dance, which set off a chain of men who wanted to dance with Carly. Much to his consternation, Ray lost his dance partner for several songs. However, he also enjoyed watching Carly have a good time. He loved hearing her laugh and seeing her smile: two things she didn’t do enough.
Ray knew she was under constant pressure of one sort or another and he wanted to give her a respite from it. Never had he imagined he would fall in love with a woman, much less one like Carly. She was so strong, brave, and beautiful that there were times when he didn’t feel worthy of her. Being with her made him want to be a better man, the kind a wonderful woman like her deserved. As he laughed when Benny stole her from Vern, Ray vowed to become worthy of her.
Not long after Carly and Ray had arrived, Brock’s wife, Daphne, and Leigh Decker drew Nora off to the side.
Daphne’s dark eyes lit with mischief. “It seems like things are going well with Wheels.”
Nora giggled. “I feel like I’m dreaming sometimes. He’s so wonderful. He’s everything I could want in a man.”
“And it doesn’t hurt that he has an adorable monkey,” Leigh teased her.
Nora said, “That’s the best part.”