Small Town Refuge

[synfulholly]

Rylee Simmons drove the soft top Jeep Rubicon out the rental cars lot and onto the main county road heading south. She really didn't have much of a destination in mind but just wanted to drive with the top off and the wind in her hair. She found herself in Kentucky after just finishing a the final scenes of her most recent movie. The ending had been filmed in the Smoky Mountains and they had just finished a few days ago and she was ready for a break. In fact she was ready for a big break and wanted to get lost in the countryside in hopes of finding a place where no one would recognize her.

She wasn't one of the top box office stars but still a few steps above a B list actress. The problem was that she had been type cast into one roll and all attempts to break out of that set role had ended unsuccessfully. It seemed directors wanted her to play one type of character and fans wanted her to play that character as well. Her acting career had started at a fairly young age doing commercials and then as she got older and became a young woman she began to do some modeling. She landed a few small parts in TV shows and a couple of movies before getting what she thought at the time was her big break. The movie was called "The Professor" and she played a young college student who had a crush on her 50 something college professor. The professor was all about controlling women and breaking their spirit as he introduced them to BDSM and even shared them with other men. In the end several of his women turned on the professor and took matters into their own hands and then a trial ensues. Rylee had taken on a role that involved full nudity and simulated sex acts that many debated, even in Hollywood, whether or not they were actually simulated or just not shown. The truth of the matter had never been actually revealed as it was a closed set and the few involved had remained tight lipped to this day. It took quite a few attempts and a bunch of editing for the movie to be rated R instead of the dreaded NC-17 rating.

But it was her body, face and her acting during these simulated sex scenes that the fans came to adore her for. She stood 5'10 and weighed a 138 lbs with long legs that went on for days, the classic 36 D breasts that most thought were implants but were all natural, long dark auburn hair that was also naturally curly and a face that had the girl next door look to it.

After that role she had several more movies where she played various promiscuous women and of all involved showing her body to some degree of nudity. She had even been in a few girl on girl scenes as well though that particular film had never been released once more due to it being to hard core for an R rating.

Eventually this lead to her posing in both Playboy and the more revealing Hustler and though the payday was quite large she often wondered if that had been a big mistake. The movie she had just finished filming was of the typical type where she played a prostitute to the rich and famous and was witness to a political plot where she barely escaped with the help of a Navy Seal. Eventually they beat the bad guys, fell in love and moved to the secluded hills of Kentucky. At least this one ended with her falling in love and settling down with a nice guy.

The critics had not always been kind either and she had developed a bit of reputation for being a bad girl, a party girl and accused of sleeping with many people that she hadn't slept with. She was tired of the accusations and the fact no one was interested in the truth of the matter which is what prompted this foray into the rural areas of Kentucky.

She had told her publicist and agent that she was taking a few months off and that she was going to travel around with no destination in mind. Having just turned 30 she wanted to consider her next career move and try once more to make as on her acting and not just on how she looked naked. The problem was she didn't have any offers that would allow her this opportunity. She was tired of the Hollywood parties, offers from magazines to pose naked or semi-naked, offers from rich guys that wanted to take her off for a weekend trip, and of course the unwanted attention by those that sought to condemn her or stick up for her as being exploited by Hollywood. Sure she wasn't happy about how her career had turned out so far but it had been her decision every step of the way and it more than paid the bills. No one had coerced her or held anything over her head forcing her to take her clothes off she had made those decisions all on her own.

Rylee followed the country road she was on for several hours stopping once for a bite to eat at a little roadside diner and was happy when no one recognized her. The director had wanted her hair dyed a bit lighter with more red highlights something about the camera's and lighting, and they had cut a few inches off as well. Though not a dramatic change it did shape her face a bit differently and she actually felt she looked a bit younger and not as recognizable. She also wore a ball cap with her hair pulled through the back of it in a pony tail. She wore jeans and a fitted tee shirt with cowboy boots. Though she filled out the jeans nicely it was not glamorous and she had on almost no makeup. A few of the guys checked her out but there was no signal that they recognized or even thought she looked familiar. And why would they think that after all who would think that a Hollywood star would be traveling through their little town in Kentucky.

She spent the night in a local motel and left early the next morning finding herself in the foot hills of the Appalachian Mountains. The next day she continued her journey and finally stopped in a quaint little town called Rock Ridge which had a small number of bed and breakfasts places and numerous antique shops. It was off the beaten path and seemed like an awesome place to spend a few days wandering around. She checked into one of the bed and breakfasts places called A Mountain Retreat.

That evening Rylee decided to check out one of the local drinking establishments as she had a taste for bourbon from time to time and what better place to drink bourbon than Kentucky. The little bar was busier than expected and most people barely paid her attention when she walked in. She stopped by the bar ordered a sour cherry old fashioned and headed over to a corner booth. It didn't take long for her to be approached by a couple of locals asking her to dance. She politely declined but one thing lead to another and soon they were calling her a stuck up bitch. She stood to leave but they blocked her exit as the bar feel silent other than the country tune playing on the juke box. Her eyes darted around for an exit and she sized up the two in front of her.

"Look guys I just want to be allowed to go on my way alright." They were laughing and obviously drunk. "Naww, honey not until you dance with us and show us that you aren't some stuck up city bitch."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

Might want to leave the lady alone”

The voice floated up from behind the two men and they immediately stiffened. The men went from cocky and arrogant too nervous in fearful in a matter of seconds at the voice. They both backed away their hands up as a large man stepped forward and regarded her.

He was a big bear of a man, tall and broad shouldered. The simple short sleeved black shirt he was wearing showed off his large muscular forearms and barrel chest. He had a pair of jeans on that like her showcased his long muscular legs and a rather promising package. A pair of cowboy boots topped the outfit and a pair of kind blue eyes studied her. His nose was slightly crooked a bad set of a broken nose indicated.

“We didn’t mean anything by it Carl” One of the men said chuckling nervously “just trying to show the girl a good time!”

“Uh huh” Carl said shaking his head and waving them off with one callused hand “Go back to your booth and simmer down”

They both nodded and turned on their heels. Carl which with a slight smile as the two all but rushed back to their booth. Their bodies were waiting for them and Carl watched them rib the two before turning back to her.

“You might want to be more careful around these parts Ma’am” Carl said nodding his head politely at her “A body like yours is going to attract all sorts of attention”

He said it matter of factly and then brushed past her. He went over to the front of the bar and gestured for the older woman who was manning the bar. She nodded at him and disappeared into the back coming out seconds later with a takeout box filled with food.

“There you go Carl” She said presenting the box to him.

“Thank you Cindy” Carl said nodding his head “My and the girls appreciate it.”

“How are the girls doing?” Cindy asked leaning in.

“Growing like weeds and eating me out of house and home” Carl said with a chuckle.

Meanwhile someone had the sense to turn on the retro old jukebox pushed to one corner of the bar. Soft music was now playing floating out above the large din of conversation.

 

[synfulholly]

Though Rylee wasn't really scared or worried at least not yet she was extremely relieved when she heard someone tell them to leave her alone. She expected the men to turn towards the new comer and step up to his challenge with a show of bravado. Then the new comer would explain to them why that was a bad idea and they would either continue to debate this for about 30 more seconds before punches would be exchanged. That or they would once more debate for several minutes with one of the parties retreating not willing to let things get physical. Either way Rylee would have been already to the parking lot and more than halfway to gone. This wasn't her first experience as being what she sometimes thought of as prey. Now that was not to say that Rylee was some poor defenseless little thing. No she had sharp claws and a full set of teeth and she wasn't afraid to tell someone exactly how much it might cost them to pursue her. By cost she actually meant hurt. But she also wasn't stupid to think she could go toe to toe with more than one guy or even a single guy that was truly determined. Fight smarter not harder she had always thought. Escaping from the field of battle before said battle began was a huge win for her.

But this encounter went differently then in past experiences. The two men who had approached her suddenly backed down and even seem to be,,,,sacred?

A tall, broad shouldered man suddenly towered above her and Rylee was suddenly wondering had she gone to the frying pan and into the fire. She wondered if this was what it felt like when a prey animal was saved from a pack of hyenas by a lion?

The two men or hyenas as Rylee now thought of them were apologizing not to her but to the lion. Had they trespassed upon his hunting grounds her mind wondered. Rylee decided the best defense now was to play dead and hope he either wasn't hungry or she was a much to small of a snack.

Then the lion spoke, “You might want to be more careful around these parts Ma’am” and before she could say anything, “A body like yours is going to attract all sorts of attention”

He then moved on towards the bar addressing the bar tender as Cindy. The older but still attractive woman behind the bar handed him a bag and exchanged pleasantries with the large man. It was now that her eyes were able to actually take him in fully.

Tall, wide in the shoulders and older with a rugged but handsome face. He took the offered bag and breezed out of the bar just as suddenly as he had entered it. Rylee sat there for only a few minutes and quickly finished her drink worried the hyena's might return now that the lion had appeared to have left the area. She glanced at the bar tender for a second who locked eyes with her and then motioned her over.

"Sorry about that honey some of the boys around here can get a tad rowdy when they see a new lady in town. Especially one as pretty as yourself. I wasn't going to let it get out of hand and was about to run them off with my trusty double barrel shot gun I keep under the bar when Carl took care of things.

Her brain clicked, Carl, that was what the men had called the lion she remembered now. "But Carl is right dear for the most part we are friendly folks around here but like any small town there are always a few that like to cause problems. So just be aware of your surroundings and you should be just fine dear. I'm Cindy by the way", and she offered her hand to Rylee.

Rylee took the woman's hand which was soft but still had the feel of someone used to working with her hands. "I'm" she paused not wanting to use her name everyone knew her by,"I'm Lauren", she said. Lauren was her first name, Lauren Rylee Simms was her full real name. The name everyone knew her as was Rylee simmons and very few people knew her real first or last name. In fact if one googled her they wouldn't even see her real name which was a minor miracle in itself.

"Nice to meet you dear", came the attractive woman's reply. "Are you passing through or plan on staying for a visit if you don't mind me asking." "Oh I don't mind you asking and had initially planned to be passing through but I think that I want to stay at least for a few days and do a bit of shopping in all of those wonderful antique stores around here."

The woman smiled at her, finally releasing her hand, "If you are going antiquing then stay out of Bobs Antiques and More. Most of his stuff is made to look old and way over priced. For a good deal go to Kentucky Heritage Antiques just down the road. Tell Joan that I sent you and she should give you more than a fair price."

Rylee thanked her and Cindy nodded as another patron had approached the bar needing his mug filled with cold beer.

Rylee or now Lauren wanted to ask Cindy about Carl but she didn't offer any information and with the bar beginning to fill with customers figured that this wasn't the time. She left the bar taking a long look outside to make sure that the hyena's weren't lurking about before quickly walking back to her bed and breakfast.

She took a long hot bubble bath then slipped nude between the sheets before falling asleep. Lauren often slept in the nude as she loved how the cool sheets felt against her bare skin after a very hot bath.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

MEANWHILE

The bright headlights of Carl’s truck cut through the dark black of the night. Every so often his body would jostle and jump hitting a particular pot hole or bump on the dirt road that the trucks suspension couldn’t handle. Music filled the cab soft western music that he gently sang along to as he drove back to the small farmhouse he had just out of town. A few minutes later it appeared perched on top of a hill and ringed by a small orchard of apple trees. It was as quintessential as a house could get with a picket fence, red door, and white shutters. There was a wrap around porch and a swing and a small garden to the left.

Once upon a time the house was nothing more than a decrepit wreck. A tornado from the prior decade tore the house apart and the family who owned it prior decided ultimately that it was to much money to put back together.

He and his ex-wife found it one day on one of their walks around town. She fell in love with it the moment she saw it and he couldn’t deny her anything. They tasked themselves with fixing it and spent many a night sleeping on the floor. He worked as a mechanic in town saving up whatever bit he could do to fix the house and save away for his own place.

And eventually he did it.

At a great cost….

He pulled into the drive way and popped the door to the truck open. He stepped out pausing long enough to grab the food before making his way to the wooden steps leading up to his home. He quickly made his way onto the deck and stepped into his home.

“Girls dinner is here!” Carl called out balancing the food in the palm of his hands. The first to greet him was saddie the old German Shephard who was his faithful companion for more than ten years now. He leaned down to greet her giving her neck a good scratch as he heard one of his girls coming down from upstairs.

“There you are!” His oldest Beth said crossing her long slender arms “I thought I was going to have to go hunting for food pretty soon!”

“Ha ha ha Beth” Carl said glancing up at his seventeen-year-old daughter. As always, her similarities to her mother threatened to take his breath away. She was a dead ringer for his ex-wife and the only feature the two of them shared were eye color. It broke his heart to see the university sweater she was wearing and the promise it held that she would be leaving sooner rather than later.

“Did you get your room mate situation figured out?” Carl asked her moving into the kitchen as he did.

“Dad!” His second daughter Lindsay said moving from her position at the kitchen bar and giving him a big hug. He hugged her back using his free hand to slide the food onto the countertop. Lindsay was more like him both in looks and in personality. She was a grease monkey like him a lover of all things mechanical.

“Hey kiddo” He said kissing the top of her auburn colored hair just as Beth came in after him.

“You’ll be happy to know that I did indeed” Beth said moving to unpack the food as Carl went to grab a beer and sit down “Sue is going to split the apartment with me”

“Fantastic” Carl said cracking the beer open with his hand and taking a pull of the frothy beverage.

“She’s good people”

“She is” Beth said nodding her head and dipping everyone up “You sure you’re going to be okay without me old man?”

“We’ll make do” He replied glancing over at Lindsay “you’ll do great in college honey”

He felt his voice quiver slightly at that but hurriedly cleared it before she could notice. He took his plate and once they were all dipped up began to eat. Carl knew their nights eating together as a family was numbered. The revelation saddened him but at the same time he couldn’t help but be proud of Beth and all she accomplished. He didn’t dare tell her about his reservations and instead was doing his best to enjoy every second of time he had left with her.

…………………………………………………

THE NEXT DAY

He pulled up to the garage just as the sun was beginning to rise. The steaming mug of coffee warmed his groin and helped fight the slight chill of the mountain. He unlocked his small shop and stepped in turning on the lights and checking his daily to do list. Mrs. Leumer was waiting to get her beat old up stuck repaired and he decided to fix that before anyone else came in.

And so he spent his morning under the chassis of the old beat up truck. Even though the garage was cold he wore nothing more than a pair of dirty oil stained jeans and a similarly stained white beater. He sang to himself as he worked and was mostly unaware of anyone coming into the main shop unless they called out to him.

 

[synfulholly]

Lauren had spent most of the morning just driving around some of the country roads in the area and had just finished lunch. She was heading back into town to check out some of the antique stores when she saw that her low gas warning light had come on. She began looking for a store and stopped at the first one she came to. It was more of a garage than an actual gas station but there were pumps which appeared new and they were open so she pulled up along side one of the pumps. She swiped her card and began filling her tank when she heard a familiar voice. Looking over towards the actual garage area she saw Carl, the lion, standing there looking under the hood of an old truck. She finished filling the tank and replaced the nozzle and took her receipt. She then got into the car and pulled it up near the garage as she didn't want to block the pumps for any other customers.

Rylee got out and approached Carl, "Excuse me sir, I just wanted to come over and thank you for the other night. You do remember me don't you?"

She paused making sure he knew who she was before continuing. She suddenly had the urge to invite him to dinner tonight as a way to show her appreciation for coming to her aid.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

He heard her voice and with a grunt eased himself away from the engine of the truck. He turned to her raising an eyebrow at her question as he grabbed a oil stained rag and began to clean his hands.

"Who could forget you?" He asked raising an eyebrow "Of course I do I hope your enjoying our quiet little town."

He moved over to the fridge at the far corner of the garage. He popped it open and pulled out a coke for her and him. He handed it to her his oil stained fingers lightly touching hers before he withdrew and cracked open his coke.

"Did you need something?" He asked raising an eyebrow "Or just wanted to stop in and say thank you?"

 

[synfulholly]

Carl was friendly but seemed slightly annoyed and she was having second thoughts about talking to him but was to late now.

"Well, I originally stopped to get gas my light was on but then I saw you and wanted to thank you. I also wanted to see if you would let me take you out to dinner sometime as my show of appreciation."

Lauren shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as she sipped on the coke. She also chewed her lip a bit which she did when she was nervous but she looked up at the big man with puppy dog eyes and pleading face.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"Out to dinner eh?" He said turning to her and raising an eyebrow. He caught look of her puppy dog pout and look and found himself chuckling.

"You don't need to do all that sweetheart" He said going over to the garage door and opening it.

"I would be more than happy to go with you to dinner" He said coming over to her until their bodies were almost touching. He reached into his pocket pulling out a card with his name and number.

"I close up shop around six" He said opening her hands and putting the card inside of them "Go ahead and swing by then"