June in August Read Free

my bottom and tugged me closer still. I could feel the skirt of my dress begin to ride up, but I didn’t care. All I could think about was the delicious sensations that were coursing through me. The rough fabric of his blue jeans between my thighs caused a tingle, the kind that I’d read about in romance novels. The kind that made you want more, the kind that promised so much. It felt wonderful and wicked and then suddenly…it was gone.
    Wiley pulled away from me and rushed outside. I was left flushed and panting. My legs felt weak. I leaned against the truck and only vaguely paid attention to the conversation that he was having with the stranger at the pump. I hadn’t even heard the man pull up. I smoothed down my skirt and picked the comb up off of the floor. I was certain that my lipstick was smudged and that my hair was a sight. I leaned down and peered into the side mirror of the truck to assess the damage.
    I was wiping what was left of my lipstick off when he returned. His approach was so quiet that I hadn’t realized he was behind me until his hands were on my waist.
    “I’m suffering from a moral dilemma, June,” he said as he leaned over. Molding his body to mine. His hips against by bottom, his chest curved over my back. “If I don’t apologize I’m afraid that you’ll think I’m horrible. If I do, then I’d be lying for sure. Should I apologize?”
    His breathing was deep and measured, just like his voice. I let is wash over me. I reached back and curved my hand around his neck. I didn’t answer him right away. I breathed in his scent and soaked up the feel of him, comparing it all to the conjured dreams that had kept me wanting and ready while he’d been away.
    “No. Please don’t say you’re sorry, Wiley.”
    His arms tightened around my waist and he said my name. It was almost as if he was assuring himself that I was there.
    “June.”
    “Yes, Wiley?”
    He turned me around and gazed into my eyes, seemingly searching for the answer to a question he was afraid to ask. He threaded his fingers through my hair and began to massage the muscles at the base of my skull. My head lolled back exposing my neck. How I wanted to feel his mouth on it, hot and wet. That’s when it occurred to me.
    “I haven’t been with anyone, Wiley. If that’s what you’re wondering.”
    I lifted my head and my next words caught in my throat at the obvious look of shame on his face.
    He stepped back, releasing his hold on me and shoving his hands deep into his pockets. He turned away from me, his shoulders hunched, his confidence suddenly gone. “I’m sorry, June. Not for wanting you so badly, I’m not sorry about that. I’m sorry for losing control. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be with a proper lady.”
    “You’ve been with other girls.” I said it before even thinking. It sounded stupidly accusing. Of course he had been with other girls, with women. Why on earth would I have ever thought otherwise? Wiley was three years older than me, a man of the world now. And, it was 1969. Make love, not war. He’d probably been with several women, several at the same time even, smoking grass and listening to rock music while they…
    “June?”
    “Huh?”
    “Did you hear what I said?”
    “No. I…I was imagining…”
    “What?”
    “Oh, Wiley! I think I should go. I don’t know what I was thinking. How I could have… You’re so much more older and experienced and I’ve never even let a boy get to third base, never mind smoked grass or participated in wild sex orgies.”
    I grabbed my purse and started to look through it frantically for my keys, forgetting for the moment that Wiley had them.
    “Who’s been participating in wild sex orgies? Wow, and I thought the fact that a second gas station opened up while I was gone was big news. Does the Pastor know?”
    “Not here! Oh, what did I do with my keys?”
    I looked up and he was holding them out, dangling them in front of me. I grabbed for them and