"We can. I'll carry the pizza. You bring everything else," she said as she grabbed the box and headed to the other room.
Once they were settled comfortably on the sofa and the movie had started, they dove into the loaded pizza.
"You were so right! This is the best pizza I have ever had. That's saying a lot for me, too. There are pizza parlors all over New York City, and I've tried most of them." She giggled as he took an olive from his slice and tried to feed it to her.
"I'm glad you approve," he said as he leaned over to kiss her. "Mmm, tomato sauce, yum."
"Okay, silly, watch the movie." She tried to turn her attention to the comedic action on the screen, but her head kept turning to look at him. He ate, he laughed, he teased her, he sipped his drink and, occasionally, he planted a kiss on her lips.
"I have fixins for ice cream sundaes if you want dessert," he said when the movie ended.
"Oh my, after all that pizza, I can't believe I'm going to say this, but let's go for it."
"I'll race you to the kitchen," he said as he picked up the pizza box, plates and forks and carried them out with him.
They held a competition to see who could make the best sundae. They decided it was a tie, and she teasingly sprayed his face with whipped cream before she topped her ice cream with it.
"Oh, that calls for war," he said as he grabbed the can from her hand and retaliated.
"Who's gonna clean up this mess?" she asked.
"The one who started the food fight, of course. And that would be you. I'll help you out, though, and get some of that off your nose for you." He leaned over and licked the white, sweet cream from her nose and then from the rest of her face.
She was laughing hysterically by this time. "Okay, now it's my turn. If I have to clean it all up, lean that face down here so I can reach it." She slowly and sensuously began to lick the cream off his face, stopping at his lips to kiss him. What was she doing? This wasn't like her at all. Least of all with a man she might never see again. Yes, she was falling, and she was falling fast. She knew she needed to call a halt to it, but it was simply out of her control.
They ate their ice cream after that in an attempt to cool things down. A little later, after more kisses while cleaning up the mess in the kitchen, he drove her back to Cora's with a promise to pick her up the next afternoon at one.
"I'm making potato salad for our picnic," she said when he asked if she liked fried chicken.
"How about fried chicken, baked beans, and chocolate cake to go with that?" he asked.
"May as well. I've blown the diet to smithereens by now."
"You don't need to diet, anyway," he said. "You're perfect just the way you are."
"I'll see you at one," she said as she turned to go inside.
"You just bring you and the potato salad, and I'll take care of everything else," he said as he kissed her goodnight.
"I like that. You'll take care of everything else," she said as she touched her index finger to his lips and whispered goodnight. Oh, if only that were the reality—Beau Birch as her Dom, taking care of everything, every day for the rest of her life.
Cora and Dale were still up when she went inside. She plopped down in the recliner and said, "You're right about one thing, Cora. That man is very talented. Your covers are finished, by the way, and he'll be sending them to you when he gets back home."
"You're falling in love with him, aren't you?" Cora asked.
"Yes, unfortunately, I am. Please don't lecture me. I've been doing enough of that myself all day."
"I'm happy for you. I'm not going to lecture you. But what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. There's nothing I can do."
"You can take the job I offered you and come out here."
"I can't do that."
"I don't see why you can't. At least give it some thought when you get back home."
"I'm going to turn in. I'm sorry I haven't spent the weekend with you."
"Honey, it's your vacation. You spend it however you like. We've done things together. You visited with Mom and Dale's mom, and you got to see Tori. You've helped me out. You deserve to have fun with Beau if that's what you want to do."
"Thank you, Cora. I'll see you at breakfast."
"We're going to church at ten if you'd like to join us," Dale added as she walked toward the bedroom.
"I'd like that very much. Goodnight."
Audrey was up early and in the kitchen helping Cora with breakfast. After they had eaten, she offered to clean up while Cora and Dale got the children dressed, and they were all in the SUV and at the church in plenty of time. Cora chose a pew behind her parents, and Audrey was surprised to see Beau walk in just before the service began. He was with a couple she assumed to be his parents.
After the service, which she enjoyed more than she'd thought she would, they walked out into the bright Texas sunlight.
Beau saw her and walked over to her. "Good morning. I didn't think I'd see you here."
"Really?" she asked. "Dale invited me to tag along. I enjoyed the service very much. There's something to be said for small town sermons."
"Come meet the folks," he said as he took her arm.
"Uh, okay," she said hesitantly. She allowed him to walk her over to where they stood talking with the minister.
"Mom, Dad, this is Audrey. She's Cora's friend from New York, here on vacation."
"It's nice to meet you, Audrey. I hope you're enjoying your visit to Texas," the man said as he extended a hand in greeting.
Audrey took the hand offered to her and shook it, replying, "I've been here before, but I always enjoy it. It's such a change from New York."
"I'll bet it is," the sandy-haired woman said. "How long will you be in town?"
Beau favored his mother but had his father's build. They seemed like pleasant enough people.
"I'll be here one more week, then it's back to work, I'm afraid," she answered with a smile. "I'm really going to hate to leave this time."
"I'll bet," Mrs. Birch said with a smile. Audrey saw her wink at her handsome son.
The minister, who'd been listening to the conversation with interest, introduced himself and told Audrey he was glad she could join them that morning. She, in turn, told him how much she'd enjoyed his sermon.
Beau walked her back to where Cora and Dale waited. "I'll be by around one. See you then."
"I'll be ready," she replied with a smile.
The children were buckled into their seats, and Audrey sat in the back seat with them. During the ride home, Cora turned around and asked, "What did you think of Beau's parents?"
"From what little bit I spoke with them, they seemed nice enough."
"They're very nice folks," Cora told her.
When they got back to the house, they all changed their clothes, and Cora began preparing lunch. She coached Audrey while she made her potato salad for the picnic, and when it was ready, Audrey excused herself to finish getting ready for her date with Beau.
She was wearing jeans, a blouse and Cora's boots for the ride. Her excitement was mounting about being on a horse again. She'd always enjoyed riding and couldn't wait to feel the wind in her face as they galloped through the countryside.
She put her hair up into a ponytail, securing it with band. When she heard the doorbell, she ran out of her room and into the foyer. Dale had already let Beau in, and when he caught the first glimpse of her, he grinned.
"You sure don't look like a city slicker now," he teased.
"Why, thank you, cowboy," she retorted with a grin. "Let me grab my potato salad, and I'll be ready."
"I have a cooler in the truck," he called out after her.
He helped her into the cab of the truck once more and took the bowl of salad from her. After putting it into the cooler, he climbed in and started the engine.
"We've got to go to the ranch to get the horses. The owner lets my sis keep hers there. She said it's fine for you to ride her Daisy."
"Daisy, I like t
hat," she said.
They arrived at the ranch. He drove to the barn and parked his truck. Helping her down from the cab, he grabbed the cooler and picnic basket and went into the barn. When he returned, he was leading two gorgeous horses.
"This is Daisy," he said as he pointed to the one on his left.
Audrey walked up to the animal and began to softly talk to her. When she was confident the mare was ready, she allowed Beau to help her up into the saddle. He handed her the picnic basket, which she held in front of her. Taking the reins, she waited for him to mount his steed.
He put his foot into the stirrup and swung his leg easily over the horse's back. With the cooler in front of him, he took his own reins and looked at her. "Ready?" he asked.
"Yes, I am."
They began at a slow pace, with him leading them away from the barn area and onto a path. They rode silently for a while.
Finally, she said, "It feels good to be in the saddle again."
He laughed. "We'll stop when we get to the clearing. It's just up ahead."
As they rode along the path, the area he'd mentioned came into sight. She could also hear water, and when they came to the spot, she saw the source of the sound. There was a brook, just like the one in her dreams.
"Oh, how beautiful," she said as she looked around in awe at the scenery.
"I thought you'd like this place. I come here to fish sometimes, when I have the time."
He climbed down from his ride, set the cooler down and tied his horse to a nearby tree. Then he walked over to help her. He took the picnic basket and set it down before helping her down from Daisy's back. He tied Daisy to another tree, took the blanket from his horse's back and walked with her to a spot where he spread it out it on the ground for them to sit on. She set the basket down and plopped down onto the blanket. He joined her, and they sat for a few minutes, just enjoying the gorgeous fall day. The sun was shining, it was peaceful and calm and the sound of the water rushing through the brook was relaxing. Audrey closed her eyes, cherishing the moment, trying to burn it into her memory. It would be nice to remember this time when she was sitting behind her desk buried in work, back in New York.
When she opened her eyes, he was taking the food out of both the picnic basket and the cooler. She saw the fried chicken, beans, her salad and a bottle of wine. He opened the wine and poured it into cups. As he handed one to her, his hand brushed hers, and she shivered.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," she said as she shook her head and took a sip of the sweet red wine.
"Red probably doesn't go with fried chicken, but I thought you'd like this one," he explained as he took a drink of his.
"It's great," she said as she looked out at the brook again.
"You're fascinated with that water, aren't you?' he asked.
"It's just so relaxing. I love it," she answered.
"Are you hungry? I thought we'd have lunch then maybe take some pictures. I brought my camera along. I want a picture of you on Daisy."
"Only if I can take some of you," she said.
"Okay, okay," he agreed as he handed her a plate.
"Did you make this?" she asked.
"Are you kidding? I can cook, but not fried chicken. Mom made the chicken and the cake for us. I made the baked beans."
"I see. You made your poor mom cook for our picnic."
"She loved it, believe me. She was quite taken with you after meeting you this morning, even wants me to bring you to supper one night before you go home."
"I'd like that," she answered as she dished some beans onto her plate.
They ate their picnic lunch, which was delicious, and afterward, she cleaned up. He sat back on his elbows and watched.
"Do you need help?" he asked.
"Nope, I can clean up after a picnic, even if I am a city slicker," she teased.
When she had put the last of the food back into the cooler, he suddenly grabbed her and pulled her down with him. He pulled her close, and as his breath mingled with hers, his face close to hers, he whispered, "I could fall hard and fast for you, uptown girl." Before she could respond, his lips were on hers, crushing them in a passionate, full kiss.
She didn't fight it. She surrendered to it, relished it, matching his passion with her own. When he finally pulled his face away from hers, he looked deeply into her eyes.
She didn't say anything but grabbed his hand and pulled him up. "Come on, cowboy. Let's go take those pictures by the water."
He got his camera out of the basket and walked with her to the brook. They wandered to the opposite side, and he took several shots of her, with the two horses and the trees in the background.
She told him to pose for her, and he did, clowning around, while she took photos of him. Finally, she convinced him to look serious and she got some really good ones. He took the camera from her and took a few selfies of the two of them.
Laughing together, they made their way back to the blanket and sat down. They relaxed lazily and chatted for the next few hours. They discussed her work and his, but they steered away from the subject of their growing feelings for each other. They were just about ready to go when all of a sudden he put his finger to his lips, indicating for her to be quiet. She didn't know what was happening until she saw him pick up a stick lying nearby. He crept silently a few feet away from her, picked up a long creature gingerly with the stick and walked toward the water, where he flung the thing.
"Wh-what was that?" she asked.
"A rattler," he answered. "I heard it, and when I saw how close it was, I knew I had to act fast. That's why I gestured for you to keep still. We should get going." He stood up and held out his hand to her. Hurriedly, they gathered their belongings and ran to where the horses were grazing.
She was shaken. She'd never come into contact with any form of snake before, let alone a rattlesnake.
"It's okay, hon. He won't be back. Let me help you onto Daisy's back, and we'll head back to civilization. I hope it didn't ruin our perfect afternoon for you."
"The afternoon, the picnic, the photo shoot, everything was wonderful. And you are my hero now, you know. You saved me from a rattlesnake. I can't believe you actually picked him up."
"I knew what I was doing. I've lived in these parts all my life, remember. I've been taught the proper way." He laughed as he helped her into the saddle and handed her the picnic basket. He untied Daisy and went to his own steed. They rode back along the path to the barn, and by the time they were back in the truck, she was exhausted.
"Would you like to come back to the cabin for a bit before I take you home?" he asked.
"Yes, I would," she said with a smile. She wasn't ready for the evening to end, either.
"Good," he said as he drove in the direction of his home.
They unloaded the truck and decided to enjoy his porch swing. Sitting together, she put her head on his shoulder. This was pure contentment. She felt like she could stay there forever.
"Audrey, you know we should discuss what's happening here," he said in a low tone. "I mean, you're heading across the country in a week. Can we stay in touch? When will you be back?"
"Oh, Beau, I don't know what to say or how to answer that."
"Why don't you start by telling me how you feel," he suggested.
Audrey looked down at her hands in her lap. Slowly, she raised her face to meet his and said, "I do feel something for you. But I'm going home, and you're staying here. We can stay in touch, but I don't see how it can ever be anything but friendship."
"Friendship?" he asked. "I don't think that's what you feel for me. If it is, then you're not being honest with yourself or with me."
"It doesn't matter what I feel, or what you feel, for that matter, it can't work."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Are you willing to pull up stakes and move to New York?"
"On the other hand, you could move here, where you know Cora and Dale and their families. You can work with Cora."
"I'm not saying I wouldn't consider it at some time. If a good graphic arts position came open or I get my own gig off the ground, I might."
"Cora offered me a job. But I just don't know. My family is in New York. I don't know if they'd understand me wanting to move to Texas."
"How old are you?"
"I'm thirty-two, why?" she asked.
"At thirty-two, with a job to come to, friends here, and a man in your life, you don't think they'd understand?"
"My family is… how should I put it?" she began. "They aren't like yours."
"Wouldn't they want you to be happy?" he asked.
"I'm sure they would. I'm the rebel in the group. My sister married into their social circle. I do everything I can to avoid it. I guess they might expect me to up and leave New York for a cowboy."
"I like the sound of that," he said as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"Let me go back to New York as planned. We'll keep in touch and just see what happens. It's not the sort of decision I can make after knowing you for two weeks."
"I understand. That's all I ask. Keep in touch, and keep an open mind."
"I promise I will," she said.
"And I promise to never hurt you. If you decide to take Cora up on her offer, I will never make you regret leaving New York."
"A cowboy's promise, don't you have to seal that in blood or something?" she teased.
He chuckled. "I can if you want me to, but, no, we don't."
She leaned her head on his shoulder again and rubbed his chest with her hand. Soon, they were kissing again until, finally, he said, "I guess I should get you back to Cora's. She might send a search party out here if you stay."
"She might at that. She's always been like a big sister to me, you know."
He drove her home and lingered on the porch, stealing several more kisses before he finally made sure she was safely inside. The house was dark, so she silently went to bed, where she cried herself to sleep. She didn't have a clue what to do about Beau Birch. She wanted him, and she wanted him badly, but was it enough to give up her life for him and move across the country, leaving everything behind she'd ever known?
Her Texas Dom (Dominant Men Book 4) Page 7