The roadside signs flashed by at two-second intervals. There May Be Severe Sandstorms Next 15 Miles. Use Caution. Zero Visibility Possible.
Well, shit. Like I can see anything anyway, Tyler thought, looking at her bug-smeared windshield.
She'd been winding along Highway 160 buffeted by crosswinds for hours on the way to her last shoot. In the past four weeks, she had traveled through remote areas in Utah and Arizona on assignment for South West Magazine to photograph Indian petroglyphs. Now she was in western New Mexico, feeling more and more lost as the minutes passed.
The outside temperature gauge in her rented Pathfinder read 105 degrees. She had turned the air conditioner on full blast to keep the inside temperature below 80 degrees.
All she could see for miles were sand hills and dry grass dotted with piñon and scrub oak trees. Mirages covered the tarmac in the distance. Swirling dust devils spattered her vehicle with sand.
Impatiently drumming her fingertips against the steering wheel, she imagined how glad she'd be to return to Austin. This is getting old, she thought. I want to see green grass again. She sighed wistfully. Too bad I don't have anyone to go home to.
According to her map, she had passed through a few towns, but they were little more than clusters of single and double-wides. She'd tried to contact her boss numerous times; her cell was useless here. Though dubious, she followed his directions as she turned onto a side road that she hoped would lead her to Santa Lucia.
Reaching toward the center console, she grasped her water bottle and finished the last few swallows. She glanced at her gas gauge. I need gas and water pretty soon. And a bathroom.
Except for her vehicle, the two-lane road had been empty for miles. She was tempted to stop and turn around when she noticed a bullet-pocked sign. Santa Lucia 10 Miles. San Gabriel 60 Miles. Good. At least I'm going in the right direction.
Minutes later, she was on the outskirts of a small town. Just ahead a large expertly-painted sign announced, Last Chance Licker. Tyler knew it must be a misspelling, but felt a twinge between her thighs. Girl, it's been too long. Slowing the SUV, she read further, Gas, Groceries, Mechanic, Toby Spencer, Prop.
She braked and pulled into the graveled area next to a double gas pump. She cut the engine, then glanced beyond the pump, admiring a metallic blue Harley Sportster that was propped on its stand.
As she exited the vehicle, she squinted to protect her eyes against the blowing dust and sand. She popped the lever for the gas cap, put the nozzle into the opening, and squeezed the handle. Nothing. Crap. Probably have to pay first even out here in the boondocks.
Tyler put her head down and walked into the pleasantly air-conditioned building, spitting sand and wiping her mouth with her hand. "Damn, it's awful out there." A dark-haired woman sat behind the counter, oblivious to her customer while intently reading a book.
"Excuse me," Tyler said, walking toward the counter.
The woman raised her head in Tyler's direction, then quickly looked out the window. "Oh, man. Look at that. I've got to move the bike." She glanced back at Tyler. "Sorry, I'll be right back," she said, running out the door.
Tyler heard the motor of the bay door and peered through the side window while the svelte brunette pushed the bike into the adjacent garage. Mmm, mmm, mmm.
As she waited for the woman to return, she glanced around the inside of the store. One shelved wall was completely stocked with liquor and wine bottles. A cooler at the back was full of beer. The remaining shelves and refrigerators were stacked with sundry convenience-store items. A little of this, a little of that, she thought.
Leaning over the counter top, she sighted the book that had been hurriedly left propped open. Up All Night.
"Damn," the brunette said as she pushed the door closed. "It's blowing really fierce out there. I hope your windows are closed. Otherwise, you're gonna have a pile of sand inside before this is over." She bent at the waist and brushed through her hair with her hands.
"I've never seen anything like this," Tyler said, walking to the front window. "I need gas. How long do you think this will last?"
"Could be an hour or two?or it could last the rest of the day. Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?"
"From the looks of things, I guess not. I'm supposed to be on my way to my last shoot." Tyler spoke of her job and summarized her last several weeks. "My deadline isn't until next week, so if it takes me another day, it won't matter."
"You wouldn't be able to get decent pictures in this stuff, anyway." The woman walked to one of the coolers. "You're welcome to wait it out here." Opening the door, she asked, "Do you want a bottle of water?"
"Yes, please. That was one of the reasons I stopped. I need to use your john first, though."
The brunette pointed her in the right direction and took out two bottles of water. She placed one of them on the counter and uncapped the other. Sitting down on the stool, she dog-eared the book and turned it face down.
When Tyler returned, she looked for a moment at the book, then mumbled a thank you as she grabbed the other bottle on her way to the window. Looks like I'll stick around for a while. "I'm Tyler Wolf, by the way," she said, briefly facing brunette. She turned back to the window. "Is this your place?"
"Nope. It belongs to my brother, Toby. I'm just here for part of the summer. He and his wife, Carol, wanted to take my nephews to Disneyland, so I agreed to watch the store while they were gone."
Tyler uncapped the bottle and drank nearly half. "So, you get summers off?"
"Yep. I'm a girls' high school coach and teach a health class."
Tyler smiled at her reflection in the window. This just keeps getting better and better. Motorcycle. Lesbian erotica. Coach. And it's not even Christmas! "Ah, so that's why you're in such good shape." She heard the stool legs scrape against the floor and the rattle of keys.
"No, I mostly stand around when I coach," the brunette said softly, now standing behind her. "I play on a couple of teams. That's how I stay in shape." The woman brushed Tyler's blonde hair away from her neck and bent close to her ear. "I can think of some things I'd like to do while we're waiting for the storm to pass."
Tyler felt her heart thumping and her breath catch. "Tell me your name," she whispered.
"Elena."
"Lock the door, Elena."
"Just what I had in mind," the brunette said, turning the key in the lock. Taking Tyler's hand, she led her to a small upstairs apartment. When they reached the top of the stairs, Elena turned and leaned down to softly kiss her lips, gliding her tongue along the edges.
Tyler pushed away, but then interlocked her hands behind Elena's neck. "Not so gentle. I don't want gentle," she growled as she pulled the brunette in and kissed her hard, sliding her thigh firmly against Elena's crotch. Someone moaned.
"Okay, darlin,' I can do 'not so gentle.'" Elena grinned and pulled her into the bedroom. "I so want you out of those clothes," she said, unbuttoning the blonde's shirt. She pulled the shirt loose from Tyler's jeans and slid it off her shoulders, pleased with the front clasp of her bra. Elena pushed the blonde's breasts together and leaned to run her tongue along the cleavage. "I love the way you taste."
Tyler reached to pull on the Elena's t-shirt, but the brunette restrained her hands and adroitly walked her backwards to the edge of the double bed.
Elena grasped Tyler's wrists behind her back with one hand while kissing and nipping a path along the blonde's jaw line and down the side of her neck. With the other hand, she released the bra clasp and cupped her breast, capturing the nipple between thumb and forefinger.
With arms behind shoulders and knees, the brunette lifted Tyler and placed her in the middle of the comforter, descending to lie along her length. Frenzied hands explored the blonde's exposed skin as she surrendered to the eager tongue entering her mouth.
Tyler broke the kiss. "Clothes. Lose the clothes."
"You first, darlin,'" Elena said. She slid to Tyler's side and unfastened button and zipper. The blonde's jeans and boxers were brusquely lowered along the length of her legs. "Fuck," Elena said, thwarted by hiking boots. She quickly stood at the end of the bed pulling off boots and socks. Grabbing the jeans by the hem, she yanked until they landed on the floor. "Stay there."
"Get those clothes off, dammit."
"I will. I have to get something first." Striding to the closet, she pulled sharply on the door handle and pulled out a suitcase. After rummaging inside, she withdrew a dildo and harness and held them up for Tyler to see. "Yes?"
"Fuck, yes. Get over here with that." Tyler sat up and began sliding toward the end of the bed.
Elena waggled her finger. "Uh, uh, uh. Stay there."
"Clothes."
"Lie back first. I'll take them off," Elena said, laying the tool and condoms on the end of the bed.
"All right," Tyler said, scuttling her butt toward the pillows. "Make it quick."
"Uh, uh. I want you to get yourself ready for this while I undress," she said, pulling her shirt over her head. She stood at the foot of the bed. "Touch yourself."
"Oh, God." Tyler slowly slid her hand down to the apex of her legs and her fingers began circling as she stared at the brunette's nipples straining against the sports bra.
"Put the bottoms of your feet together so I can see better," Elena said, her eyes darkening when the blonde complied and fingers moved at a fervid pace. Tremulous hands reached for the button on her jeans.
"No. Do the bra first. I want to see your breasts loose when you bend down."
The sports bra flew into the corner.
"Now take off your shoes."
Elena bent down slowly, swaying her breast as she untied the laces. She stood to toe off the shoes, then unfastened her jeans and slid them, along with damp underwear, over her hips.
Eyes glazed with want, Tyler watched as the brunette fastened the harness and knelt on the bed. Moving to wrap her legs around Elena's hips, she pressed her breasts into the brunette's chest and twined her fingers in her hair. After a searing kiss, she muttered, "It's about time. I loved the tease, though." She grasped Elena's breasts in her hands and stroked the tips with her palms.
"No more teasing, darlin,' down to business." Elena reached for a condom and ripped open the package.
"Let me," Tyler said, taking it from her hand. She rolled it on and encircled the dildo, sliding her hand back and forth.
Elena sucked in a breath through her teeth, feeling the pressure on her clit. "God, that feels so good," she moaned. Ya gotta stop, baby. I'm gonna come already," she said, covering Tyler's hand. "Roll on to your stomach and lift your hips for me."
Tyler turned over and raised her buttocks in the air, wriggling her hips. "How's this?"
"Absolutely magnificent," Elena said, sliding her knees between Tyler's thighs. Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips, as she caressed the soft buttocks.
Balancing on one elbow, Tyler reached between her legs and guided the dildo toward her center. "Please."
With Elena's gentle nudging, Tyler spread her legs farther apart. Elena stroked her folds with the tip, then entered, eliciting a mewling sound.
Tyler rocked against her in a slow rhythm, making small grunts of pleasure with each thrust until her breath was reduced to short pants.
With her own clit absorbing the impact of each push, Elena leaned forward and kneaded a breast. Thrusts quickened, their skin now slick with sweat. Nearing climax, Elena slid her hand between Tyler's legs and stroked the sides of her clit with the same rhythm.
Tyler cried out as the spasms hit and spread the length of her body. With one final thrust, Elena followed. "God." Collapsing on the bed, Elena kissed and licked the sweat on Tyler's shoulders until the pulsations calmed.
Elena rolled off Tyler's back and pulled her to her side, holding her close. "You were wonderful, baby," she said, planting a soft kiss on her mouth. "I'm so glad a sandstorm blew you my way."
Tyler glanced out the window. "It's still nasty out there. Maybe this will last all day," she said, returning the kiss. "So tell me something." Tyler stroked the underside of Elena's breast. "I'm curious about the name of this place. Does your brother have a problem spelling?"
Elena chuckled. "No, he can spell all right. It had that name when he bought it. He joked about keeping it the same. Told me he left it that way because of me."
"Because of you?"
"Uh, huh. See, he used to be jealous of me in high school because I had more girlfriends than he did. He was convinced it was because of my talents."
Tyler grinned. "And just what talents might those be?"
Elena slid between Tyler's thighs. "Let me show you, darlin.'"