With a harsh buzz, the massive iron gate grinded shut. For Cole it was the sweetest sound in the world. He dropped his meagre belongings so that he could catch the young women jumping onto him. As legs and arms wrapped around him, he grabbed hold of her trim waist. Darn! What a woman she'd blossomed into. The C's almost D's, so often the other side of plexiglass, were so much better pressed against his chest. He dragged his eyes out of her tank top seconds before she ceased her kissing. Anna's small palms roamed over protruding pecs.
"You're hard," she said. "Your whole body, I mean. It's, like, really hard."
Cole smiled. Stuck together, he knew she must have felt him despite heavy jeans. He didn't feel guilty. A nice looking woman in his hands; A man was finally free.
"Not much else to do inside other than work out and read. Probably in the best shape of my life."
"Well, make sure you keep up whatever it was you were doing."
Anna ran fingers through scruffy hair.
"You should keep your hair like this too. It's kinda ho- cool."
Cole looked over each of her shoulders before setting her down.
"No sign of your mother, I see?"
Unbeknownst to her, Anna's legs squeezed him.
"Did you really think she'd come?"
"I suppose not. She stuck around longer than I thought she would."
"Two out of six years. Hardly commendable."
Cole caressed his daughter's cheek.
"Look at you. Lord, you've become such a beautiful young woman. You look more and more like her every day."
"Dad, you've seen me every month since you've been inside."
"Without fail, you showed up. Silly girl. Should have been off living your own life. Yes, I've seen you grow, Anna. But only with my eyes. The last time I held you, you were...well, you weren't nineteen."
Fingers slid down her neck. They danced between the shoulder straps of her bra and tank top. Anna brushed dirty blonde hair from sky blue eyes.
"So, are we gonna stand here and talk all day? Personally, I'd prefer if you came home with me. I'm gonna cook you something yummy and spoil you rotten for the day."
Cole's nostrils flared as he inhaled.
"Sounds like a plan. Now hand me those keys."
"Don't worry, dad. You relax. I'll be your chauffeur."
"Anna, I haven't driven a car in over half a decade," he said, palm open. "I miss it."
"I bet there's lots of things you miss."
He didn't look at her as lips curled to half a smirk. He was glad she kept the old Torino in good nick. How much more he ought to have taught her about cars. So much of life he'd never get back. But that was his fault.
"Just put your seatbelt on. I know you don't have your licence. Be a shame if you got grabbed by the cops before you get home."
"You know me honey," he said, claiming the driver's seat. "I'm a bad man."
Anna took a deep breath and rested her hand on his lap. Maybe it was good that he was driving.
"Now that I have my daddy back, I'm not gonna let any of those bastards take him away from me again."
Prison guards spat down from watchtowers as they watched Crooked Cole speed away. They watched him leave with the pretty girl who'd never missed a single visit. They couldn't see him frowning at his cussing kid. Anna's mind tossed and toiled. She wanted to make him happy. To forget prison. Forget mom. She'd watched the naughty videos on how to do it. Practiced on her toys even. It seemed so simple. But it wasn't.
Though bumpy roads teased her fingers tantalisingly close, Anna ultimately faltered.
"It's ok," Cole said, his big hand covering hers.
Anna knew that it wasn't ok. That she'd blown her chance. Nearing home, she told herself that she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
***
Cole let out a long, throaty sigh and eased back into the kitchen chair. Gulping sounds filled the room followed by another cathartic sigh. With wet lips, he gazed at his daughter
"You knew exactly what I needed, didn't you?" he said.
Anna wiped fluid from her skin. It was a pointless endeavour as she peeled another potato; smearing herself once again.
"There's plenty more beer in the fridge, dad. I got a whole crate in. Looking forward to helping you when I get the dinner on."
Cole cracked open a second can. He didn't down it in one this time. Too gassy.
"Sure you don't want any help? Feel pretty useless back here."
Anna showed the side of her face, and the side of her smile.
"This is my treat. I don't want you lifting a finger."
"Not sure I can promise that."
He could see her smile reflecting off the window. He could see her thin neck and exposed cleavage in the well placed glass. She wore grey sweatpants under her tank top. There was a sliver of skin where the two garments met.
Why, he asked himself, didn't he try to guide her in the car. He could tell she wanted to do it. But to his frustration, nerves bested her. Him too. Well, it was hardly the most natural of things to do. Soft and manicured, her gentle touch would have brought great relief to six years of built up tension in a matter of messy, creamy seconds.
Her clothes stretching to her movements, Cole couldn't avert his eyes away. He didn't want to. Soft skin taunted him. He rose from the chair. Six tedious years. He decided he'd waited long enough.
***
Anna heard a husky breath and the sound of a can being crushed.
"Oh, let me get you another, dad."
A falling vegetable peeler clanged the metal sink. His grasp didn't find the fridge handle. Big fingertips joining at her tummy, they'd found her waist instead. Anna was shushed before she could get a word out.
"The beer, the food -- It's great, baby. But there's only one thing I really want right now. One thing I really need."
She grabbed hold of his thick wrist. All her strength couldn't stop him sliding up her body. He groaned as he groped her breasts. Her feminine essence overwhelming. His bulge only fattened the more she struggled against it.
"Wait, dad! I get how you feel. But..."
Fingers crept under the front of her top. He caressed her naval and washboard belly. Plump fleshy mounds that were her breasts received attention next. Anna's light moans emboldened him. He pulled and squeezed at the fabric of shirt and bra. Frantic lips traced her jawline. He thought he knew what softness was until he found her lips. So ripe, so ready, he massaged poking nipples. Like a wild animal freed from his cage, a starved Cole toyed with his helpless prey.
