Leaving Smoke in the pen, Easton heads my way. “I have to clean Star’s stable and feed her since Mr. Prewitt is in Florida until Easter.
“I’ll help,” I tell him, grabbing his hand and walking toward the barn. I muck the stalls, cleaning out the droppings using a pitchfork, and letting the shavings sift through. Easton returns from moving Star to an unused stable and helps me, so we can finish quicker.
He adds a fresh layer of shavings, some hay for Star, and fills the water trough. I lean against the pitchfork, taking advantage to watch him work with his hands. Easton does things to me, turns me inside out.
He catches me staring and winks with a crooked smirk. “Like what you see?”
“Very much so,” I tease, standing tall and leaning the pitchfork outside of the stable.
“Good because I plan to spend the afternoon with you and no interruptions.”
“I do like that plan.” I wink, rolling the wheelbarrow with the droppings out of the barn.
While Easton guides Star into her stall and Smoke into his, I find his old motorcycle and make my way toward it. I feel the worn rubber on the handles and smile as memories of Easton and me riding it hit me. It’s amazing that this is still here. I expected it to have been dumped.
“Remember this?” Easton stands behind me and wraps his arm around my waist.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “So many memories,” I add.
“All great ones.” He steps around me with a mischievous smile. “Wanna go for a ride?”
“What?” I screech. “Does it even work?”
“Yup,” a huge smile takes over his face. “I had to tweak a couple things, but it runs.” He slaps the worn cushioned seat before draping his leg over it. Reaching his hand out for me to take, his eyes twinkle. “Trust me,” he states the same way he did all those years ago when I first rode with him on this motorcycle.
I tilt my head and look between his outstretched hand and his soft eyes. Smiling, I take his hand and sit behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist tightly.
“Go slow,” I plead.
He chuckles and turns the ignition. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I laugh wildly and squeeze my arms around him as he takes off. Easton chuckles as we ride around the ranch, bouncing on the uneven terrain. We go further from the house, leaving the barn behind us, as he takes us through a shrouded space. The tall trees that cover the area pass by in a blur. He takes the trail, looming mountains facing us as we move away from the forested land, and I realize where we’re going. I lean my face into his shoulder blade, smiling against his body.
The familiar barn pops up in the distance, and Easton begins to slow down, stopping the bike right next to it. I kiss his back and swing my leg over the motorcycle, trying to tame my wild hair. Unable to comb my fingers through the tangles, I tie it up in a bun.
“That was fun,” I say, taking a seat on the old log that rests against one of the side walls.
“It was freeing. I used to love riding this bike.” Easton smiles over at me. “I loved it even more when you rode with me.”
He takes a seat next to me, holding my hand. “This place is amazing.” He looks at the gorgeous mountain views before us.
“Yeah,” I sigh, placing my head on his shoulder. “I wonder who owns it.” When Easton and I first discovered this barn, there was nothing else around it but the old structure. No nearby houses or signs of people coming around.
“I have no idea.” Easton’s thumb brushes back and forth on the top of my hand. I shiver and smile, remembering how great things were when we were together. We sit quietly together, staring out at the view in front of us.
“Are you happy to go see your mom?” I break the silence.
“I’m happy to see her, but I wish it were for different reasons.” His eyes cast downward.
I tighten my hold on his hand. “I know you’re worried, but I am glad you were able to talk to her and know she’s okay before showing up there.”
“I am, too.” He nods, staring into my eyes for longer than usual. A smile brushes his lips. “I’m lucky to have you again. It’d be so much harder to deal with my mom’s situation without you. You calm me. I’m not sure what game the stars played with our love story, but I’m glad fate brought us back together.”
Hearing those words makes my heart skip a beat. I want to jump and down, cheering wildly, screaming, Hell yes!
“I guess it was meant to be,” I smile, eyeing the carving of our names over his head.
“Forever,” he says.
I tremble as my body chills, and Easton stands. “Let’s head back before the temperature drops more.”
Settling back on the motorcycle, we ride back to his house. The wind brushes past us, stealing my laughter as I freak out when we hit a ditch. Getting off the motorcycle outside of Easton’s barn, we walk up to the back patio, and Cali runs out when I open the door.
She moves through our legs and then makes her way to the grass to relieve herself. Easton calls after Cali when she starts running toward the barn. Obeying him, she returns to where we’re standing, demanding attention by jumping up on our legs. I laugh and pick her up, ignoring the marks her wet paws leave on my jeans and sweater. I kiss her head, and she licks my chin.
“She’s so hyper,” I comment, laughing at her eagerness to play.
“She is,” Easton takes notice. “I’ll play catch with her for a bit.”
Nodding, I place Cali on the floor and sit on the patio steps while Easton grabs Cali’s ball inside. She continues to attack my face with kisses, causing me to giggle and shoo her away. I fall backward, and Cali takes advantage, thinking I’m doing it on purpose, to climb on my body.
“Off,” Easton calls out firmly, and Cali steps off me. I’m laughing too hard to say anything, but I open my eyes and stare at Easton, who looks upside down from this position.
“Having fun?” He lifts his eyebrows, his voice laced with humor.
“Yup.” I stand. “No need to be jealous, though. Your kisses are still my favorite.” I pucker my lips in exaggeration and kiss him straight on his.
“Phew, I was getting nervous for a second,” he jokes, holding my waist.
“You’re my favorite,” I say. “Now, let’s play with Cali a bit so she’ll tire out, and I can have you all to myself.” I wink, and Easton groans, biting his lower lip and eyeing me.
After playing with Cali for longer than we planned, Easton and I lie on the sofa, watching an episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on Netflix.
“Ally’s been talking about this show forever. She says it’s amazing.”
“Could you imagine if I had moved to Richmond with the excuse of a job, only to stalk you?” I ask, laughing at that thought.
Easton holds me closer to him, my back to his front, and murmurs against my neck. “I would’ve loved to see you again, even if you were a little coo-coo.”
I smack his thigh behind me.
“Bringing out your rough side?” he teases, thrusting his hips into my backside.
A soft moan leaves my lips. “Babe…” Easton says gruffly.
“Hmm… You’re the one pushing your dick into me.” I turn around, facing him.
Linking my arms around his neck, I push into him. “You tease me, and then you expect me to stay unaffected?” I ask against his lips. “It doesn’t work that way, especially when you’ll be away for a few days.” I press my lips firmly against his.
What was supposed to be a quick kiss turns into a deeper one when Easton holds my head to his, and his other hand grabs my ass, pushing me into his hips. The sensation of his semi-hard dick pressed into me causes me to go wild. I need to get as much of him as I can before he leaves. Fear has me gripping onto him like a lifesaver.
I seek his tongue, shifting so I can kiss him better. Easton growls, thrusting his hips against mine again. My body reacts, pussy clenching and dripping as I feel him so close to where I want him.
I bring one of my hands down his body and betwe
en us, rubbing my palm over his jeans, wishing I were touching him, skin on skin. Easton moans out my name, fueling me, but before I can reach into his jeans, he flips me onto my back and stares at me wickedly.
Leaving a trail of hot kisses down my neck, he removes my sweater and drops kisses over the swells of my breasts and down my stomach. He pauses at my jeans, giving me a devilish smile.
He undoes the button and lowers the zipper, opening my jeans. “Need to taste you,” he says against the skin exposed at my pelvis. “Starving for you.”
I whimper at his words, throwing my head back on the couch and shutting my eyes tightly as his fingertips leave a featherlight path over my lower belly and down my jeans. Easton slides the fabric down my legs, chuckling when he sees my cupcake underwear. It’s become fun to wear different underwear after the taco fiasco and see his reaction.
“I do love cupcakes, too.” He licks his lips and drops a kiss right above where I really want to feel his hot mouth. “So wet for me, like always,” he growls, yanking my underwear down my legs.
When his mouth lands on me, I melt into the sofa and get lost in the feel of his mouth and tongue pleasuring me. I wrap my legs over his shoulders and hold his head to my pussy, encouraging him to continue as I scream out in pleasure. My hips arch and thrust into his mouth, needing to feel more. When Easton begins to fuck me with his tongue, I cry out and whimper, unable to hold back.
“So…good…” I moan.
“Touch yourself,” he demands, bringing one of my hands to my clit. “Do it.” The huskiness in his voice encourages me, and I begin to circle a finger over my clit as his tongue moves in and out of me. My other hand moves to my breasts, pinching my nipples through my cotton bra. Easton’s eyes catch mine, and I fall apart. The view of him between my legs and the feel of his hot breath on my fingers bring me to climax.
He laps up every drop, taking my fingers in his mouth and sucking my wetness from them. I whimper in response. My ragged breaths and the sound of his lips kissing my skin are the only sounds I hear as he makes his way back up to me.
“You’re my favorite flavor,” he breathes out, dropping his weight on me, kissing me, tasting myself on his tongue.
I wrap my arms around him, pressing him into me. The roughness of his clothes against my body adds to my sensitivity. He’s all rough and ragged where I’m soft. His jeans glide against my open legs, causing me to shiver as I come down from my orgasm.
I rip his hoody and t-shirt over his head and drop them on the floor next to us. My hands move to his jeans, lowering them as far as I can. I wrap my palm around his dick, moving my hand up and down his shaft.
Easton’s darkened eyes meet mine as his mouth falls open on a breath. I lift my head to kiss him, stroking my tongue with his.
“Make love to me,” I whisper against his lips, widening my legs even more as I rub the head of his cock against me.
“Fuck,” Easton breathes out, quickly kicking his jeans and underwear completely off before sitting on the couch and bringing me with him. I straddle his legs and lower my body so he can fill me, shuddering at the way he makes me feel.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life making love to you if you let me,” he whispers right before thrusting up, and I cry out in pleasure.
Keeping to his promise, Easton spends the afternoon pleasing me.
Easton
I much prefer to stay home with Faith tonight, but we’ve been in a bubble these past couple of days. When Poppy called to say a few of our friends were going to Clarke’s, we got ready to meet them for some drinks after I finished packing my bag.
I’m going to miss Faith these next few days, but I need to make sure my mom is okay. I need to make sure she’s taking care of herself and keeping with her routine. The thought of her feeling lonely kills me.
“You okay?” Faith wraps her arm around my waist and whispers in my ear.
“Yes,” I smile, kissing her temple. She watches me over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip of her wine. A secret smile spreads across her gorgeous face. I wink, taking a pull of my beer.
“I very much like this.” Sutton waves between us.
“I do, too,” I tell her. Then, I look down into Faith’s eyes.
“Goodness, you’re so smitten,” Sutton laughs. “Be good to her, Easton.” She points a finger at me in warning.
“I plan on it. No way I’m letting her get away a second time.”
Gavin walks up behind Sutton, hugging her. “Leave them alone,” he kisses her cheek. She laughs and turns around to face him, whispering something I can’t hear.
Seeing that they’re in their own world, I grab Faith’s glass and place it on the high-top table next to us. “Let’s go dance.”
I lead her toward the dance area and wrap my arms around her waist, moving us to the beat spreading over the speakers. Faith brings her arms around my neck, her fingers combing through the ends of my hair at the nape.
I pull her closer to me, so our bodies are moving as one and whisper in her ear, “I’m going to miss you while I’m away.” I flatten my palms on her lower back.
“I’ll miss you, too. Come back quickly.” Her voice wavers a bit, and I look down into her eyes.
“I will,” I promise, brushing her cheek with my thumb and kissing her soft lips. “Everything I’ve always wanted is right here.”
Faith nods with a small smile. I pray she believes me, that she knows how much she truly means to me. I don’t want to be anywhere else but here with her, living the life I was meant to live.
When the song ends, I grab her hand and head back to the table. Poppy and Abbie are watching us with smiles. When I catch their stares, they look at me sheepishly and laugh. I keep my arm around Faith while I talk to Gavin, Finn, and Harris about Smoke and my trip to Virginia.
“I’m sure your mom’s okay,” Harris says.
I smile, appreciating his encouragement when I’ve only known him for a few weeks. It feels good to be back home, surrounded by friends, old and new, and not stuck at an office, working with people who are in competition with me. This place is a real community, and that matters more to me than any salary, job title, or skyscraper. I’d trade in a concrete jungle for these mountains and fresh air any day.
“You’ll be back for our wedding, right?” Poppy asks, leaning into Harris.
“Yeah,” I smile. “I’ll be back Wednesday afternoon.”
“Does this mean we’ll have to change our book club to another day this week because you’re going to want to spend Thursday catching up on all the sex?” Poppy’s eyebrows move up and down on her forehead.
I cough out a laugh, and Faith’s eyes widen. “Poppy!” she chastises her best friend’s name.
“Please,” Poppy looks at her with a don’t-bullshit-me expression, eyebrows lifted and eyes wide. “Don’t even try to deny it. We’d all do the same thing.”
I throw my head back on a belly laugh and pull Faith into my side. “Meet for book club on Tuesday this week,” I tell Poppy.
Faith eyes me with pursed lips, trying to hide her smile.
“Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’m going to want you all to myself when I get back,” I wink.
Her cheeks turn pink as everyone chuckles, but I know they’d all do the same thing.
“I tell Poppy the same thing when I’m going on tour with Knox and Sutton,” Harris says.
“Heck yeah,” Poppy nods eagerly.
“Yeah,” Sutton sighs in agreement, looking at Gavin like a puppy in love.
“A little more difficult for us since we have Penny,” Gavin jokes.
“Your mom usually keeps her for a couple days.”
“Or us,” Abbie speaks up.
“Yup, I’m a pro when dealing with six-year-old girls. You’re giving me practice,” Finn laughs.
“A lot happens before they turn six,” Poppy teases him.
“Poppy, let me have this,” Finn jokes.
“You’re right. You’re going to be a g
reat dad to a six-year-old one day.” Poppy lifts her hands in mock surrender, smiling wide.
We all laugh.
“I never thought I’d say that to you, Finn. You, a dad…” Poppy’s eyebrows lift on her forehead in shock at the idea.
“I’m gonna be a fucking fantastic one at that.” He kisses Abbie’s temple, who smiles shyly.
I look around at everyone, still in shock at how life turned out for them. It works; it makes perfect sense, actually. Abbie with Finn, their opposites balance each other out. After all I heard about what the bachelors in this town were doing to Poppy, it makes perfect sense that she is marrying someone who isn’t local, and Harris seems perfect for her. Gavin is the one that surprised me the most, but Sutton adds a spark to his life.
Then, I look at Faith. This is how it was always supposed to be. She and I, here with our friends, enjoying ourselves, teasing each other, and creating a life together. Nothing can take this away from me again. Not when I have a say in the path my life takes. I’m an adult now, responsible for myself and my choices, and I choose this.
When we finish our round of drinks, everyone says goodbye, and we each head home. Long gone are late nights out. I just want to be home with Faith, and I’m glad she’s staying over tonight.
“You’ve packed everything you need, right?” she asks as we walk into my house.
“Yup. I’ll add my toothbrush and deodorant tomorrow morning.” I call for Cali and reach for Faith’s hand, heading outside so Cali can go to the bathroom.
While Cali sniffs the grass, I hug Faith to me and kiss the top of her head. We’re both silent a moment, listening to the rustling of the nearby trees and Smoke’s neighs. His first day here has been successful, and I hate that I’m going on a trip so soon after getting him, but Gavin offered to feed him and Star and keep an eye on them.
“Are you worried?” Faith asks into my shoulder.
“A little, yeah.” Even though I spoke to my mom, I’m still concerned about how she’s handling herself. My dad had been a part of her life since they were in college. I thought a year was enough for her to get on her feet before I moved away. Maybe I was wrong.
My Way to You: A Second Chance Romance (Love in Everton Book 7) Page 16