James Landis Story chapter 34

James Landis Story chapter 34




James kissed the knuckles on Victoria's left hand and nodded his goodbyes to her. He walked over to see Zoe and noticed Sophia was watching him approach with real fear in her eye. He saw it was only Zoe's grip on her hand that kept the young woman from fleeing.

James sat down across from her and saw she was trembling.

He wondered what had brought her to this level of fear. It couldn't be him.

"Hello Sophia," he said.

"Hello Mr. Landis." Sophia squeaked.

James looked at her cautiously. You can call me James. Are you ok?

"Please don't hurt me," she whined.

"I would never hurt you!" he gasped.

Sophia looked at James like she didn't believe him.

Why would you think I would do that? he said incredulously.

Don't play with me! she growled and the guards looked over at them with a scowl.

I swear I'm not! I hold no grudge against you. I'm not mad at you. I forgive you. James said as bluntly as he could.

What? the young woman gasped, staring at him, clearly shaken.

I don't hold grudges. That behavior never really made sense to me. It's over. It happened and we all move on. There is already too much other stuff happening in life to waste time on stuff that happened in the past. I forgive you. You should forgive yourself maybe and think of things you can do to ease your conscience. It makes you feel so much better, he said with a smile.

Sophia began to cry. Zoe looked at him and mouthed 'thank you' to him. He felt embarrassed to see the young woman falling apart. He stood and pointed to the exit. Zoe nodded.

As he left he noticed that Victoria and her lawyer were no longer there and it looked like Zoe was the last visitor. According to the clock on the wall there was just fifteen minutes left anyway. The guards let him out and he walked back to the front doors. Looking out the window he noticed the snow was coming down really hard. He walked back to the registration desk.

You weren't planning to drive back to the city were you? the man behind the counter called out.

That was the plan, yes, he said.

Interstate is closed. County roads are almost impassible as well. You'll have to wait until the plows come by in the morning.

James felt fatigue settle on his bones. An ache began in his head. He needed to eat. Is there a hotel nearby? And place to eat

Just the Cloverleaf Roadhouse and Inn about a mile east of here. Clean rooms and a good restaurant but the bar there can get pretty rowdy. Being so close to the penitentiary it gets more than its fair share of the rougher element. You be careful if you go there.

James nodded. It didn't look like they had an alternative. Where did the lawyer go?

Kendra? She has family nearby, the clerk explained.

Ah.

James found himself a chair and waited for Zoe. It wouldn't be long as visitor's hours were almost up. He watched the storm outside the window and its ferocity seemed to be increasing. This was what the other visitors had been fleeing. He rubbed his temples as the ache grew.

Zoe showed up at exactly 8:30PM and rushed over to hug him.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she cried into his chest.

"What? What did I do?"

For the first time in years I got through to my baby. After she broke down I spoke with her and we really connected. I could finally see my little Sophia behind the poison her father filled her head with. She sees it too now! Oh James, this is too wonderful!

James smiled down at Zoe and hugged her tight. When he pulled back his expression was concerned. Listen, we have a bit of a problem." He pointed outside. The road back to the city is closed due to the storm. There's an inn a mile away we might be able to get some rooms in but we'd better go now.

Zoe looked up at him and just nodded. They zipped and buttoned up and pushed out into the storm. James got Zoe back into the truck and went around to his side. A large snow drift was blocking his door but he managed to get in finally. He got the truck started and clears of the drift and got them back out onto the county road heading east. Even with the wipers going full speed visibility sucked so they drove very slowly. The drifts across the road made the driving all the more treacherous.

Finally they saw the glow of a sign on the north side of the road up ahead and pulled off into a parking lot. James saw the lot was pretty full and was worried about their being able to get some rooms. Exhaustion weighed his shoulders down hunger gnawed at his stomach and concentrating so hard on the road had turned the ache in his head into a thumping pain. They had to stop. Besides, there was nowhere else to go.

He carried Zoe across the snowy parking lot to the front door and they went inside. The noise was deafening from the bar and restaurant down, the hall to the right. The reception was straight ahead so they shook off the snow and walked up to the desk.

A grizzled old man with the nastiest beard James had ever seen watched them approach, keeping an eye on the large brute dressed in black. His eyes turned to the shorter beauty when she pushed her hood back.

Good evening. We'd like to get two rooms for the night, Zoe said.

All I have is one left. A double bed, at the far end of the hall, ground floor. Everyone is stuck in the storm. Bad for driving but good for business he cackled and James thought his voice sounded like dry fall leaves crunching underfoot. It rattled his nerves and he scowled. The man's smile slipped away as he eyed James nervously.

We'll take it. Zoe said glancing at James with a frown.

I need to eat. James grunted to Zoe and she nodded. She wondered at his gruffness. Maybe it was his hunger? She saw him yawn.

Zoe exchanged information with the clerk and they got their room key.

Restaurant is pretty full. You may need to eat in the bar, the old man offered and James scowl returned. Zoe thanked the man and they moved towards the restaurant.

Why are you upset? Zoe asked James quietly.

Sorry, I'm just tired and hungry. It's been a really hectic week and it's only Tuesday. The drive did me in, James apologized. They reached the entrance and a harried looking hostess shook her head.

Maybe there's a table in the bar? the woman suggested.

James recalled the warning from the clerk but he was beyond caring at this point. He was hungry and he wanted to eat! He stalked into the bar and looked around. It was pretty full as well and noisy. He walked slowly down the aisle peering into the dimly lit room for an empty table. There were booths for four along the wall and most of them only had two people in them.

James stopped and growled in frustration. Two men in the booth next to him stood up and made their way to the bar so James sat down at the booth they'd vacated rather quickly. Zoe slid into the other side of the booth with a surprised look on her face.

She was staring at him wondering where this behavior was coming from. He'd growled and frightened off the customers! Kind sweet James was intimidating! She felt a thrill run through her.

A few minutes later a waitress stopped at the table. What can I get you?

A burger and fries, James asked and she nodded. Two burgers and fries, his head ached, Scotch make it a double.

The waitress turned to Zoe order burger with salad please with Oil and vinegar dressing and a beer. Whatever's on tap that goes well with the burger the waitress, smiled at her and walk away.

James undid the top two buttons on his coat but kept it on as the room was a little cool even with all the bodies in it. He looked up and saw a ceiling vent. He held up his hand and felt cool air pouring down from it. He scowled again.

Who runs air conditioning in a snow storm? He muttered.

James! What's wrong? You're so... angry! Zoe asked.

He glanced over at her. Sorry, I get irritable when I have a headache and this one is a dozy.

"Why didn't you say anything? We could have gotten some pain killers at the penitentiary."

James shrugged and rubbed his temple. I rarely get headaches.

She reached across the table and placed a hand on his and stroked it sympathetically.

James looked down and marveled at how small her hands looked against his. Then he recalled just how strong her small hands were. In their very first meeting she'd taken him for a ride and she'd clung to him with incredible tenacity.

A familiar pressure began to build in his pants as he remembered that day. James turned his hand over and held her fingers in his. She smiled at him and he raised her hand to his lips. When he began to sensually kiss each knuckle she gasped and squirmed at the feel of his lips caressing the soft skin. The sensation was shooting directly to her pussy and she couldn't get her hand back from his grip. His eyes were on hers and the heat in them made her feel like she was naked to his gaze.

James! Oh fuck JAMES! Please, oh fuck!" she panted.

He caught motion in the corner of his eye and looked to see the waitress standing beside the table frozen by the display. He released Zoe's hand




By nutbuster