by Tory Baker
10
Levi
The way she came apart in my arms, it was the most beautiful thing in the world. Even if I did make a mess of myself, it was fucking worth it.
We’re both breathless and I should excuse myself to the bathroom and attempt to clean up, but Peyton is in my arms and I can see her eyes are slowly getting heavier. I have a feeling everything compounded for her today. She hasn’t told me if Dr. Harlow called her yet. I was just getting back from dropping off his new bull when I got the call from Buck. I detoured from heading to my ranch and came straight to her.
I think my next thing is going to make an easier path to our ranches.
Once Peyton’s breathing evens out, I slowly slide out from her. She reaches for the pillow I was laying on, bringing it into her body, and snuggling into it.
Shit, I’m jealous of a damn pillow now. I head to the bathroom knowing I’m going to have to ditch my boxer briefs for the rest of the day.
I walk into the bathroom, stripping out of my jeans and sure enough, I can see the mess I’ve made. I take my boxers off and throw them in the sink. I’ll see if she has laundry and I’ll throw it in with hers.
Peyton lit up for me like it was a hot Fourth of July night and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us.
Before heading downstairs, I stop and check on Peyton. I see she’s still asleep and hasn’t moved a bit. If this is what I have to do for her to sleep, I’ll damn sure do it.
God, what this woman does to me. Jack saw me looking at her when she was home from college last fall break and gave me a stern warning, “You want my baby girl, you wait till she’s home. Don’t you fuck around now, either. I’ll string you up by your balls.”
I laughed, little did he know I’ve been waiting for Peyton a lot longer than he thought. Maybe even a year or two before he caught on. She’s been the one and only. I didn’t care if I had to fuck my own hand. She was the only one I’ve ever wanted.
I shake my head and chuckle a little bit. Those memories with Jack —those are the ones I like to hold onto.
Moving into the kitchen, I open up the fridge and see there isn’t much that I can whip up for dinner besides some ham sandwiches. I take everything out for those, then hunt around her pantry for some chips. Heading back to the fridge, I grab two cans of pop. The one thing I know, she’ll never not have. She told me about her addiction for canned Dr. Pepper. It couldn’t be fountain or in a plastic bottle. Peyton always kept it on hand, and I noticed she hasn’t let her stock slip up since she’s been home either.
Smiling to myself, I grab our drinks and plates, making my way back to her.
11
Peyton
Levi spent the night last night, after serving us dinner in bed. It may have been a simple meal, but him making sure I’m taken care of means more than he will ever know.
I forgot in the midst of my breakdown that I got a call from the clinic letting me know they had a change in shifts and I’m now on the one I really wanted. It was another stress relief after things calmed down.
What really helped, though, was Levi staying with me and holding me all night long. I slept the best I have in what seems like years. I only hope that it will happen again and again.
Some may think we’re moving too fast, but I don’t feel that way at all. For the past six months we’ve been talking nonstop. Up until this week, I thought it was for him buying the ranch. Now though, now I know it’s not. He’s made it known that I’m his and he’s mine.
Levi woke me up this morning, with a kiss that had my toes curling, and me grasping for more.
“Have a good day, baby,” he whispered, as we pulled apart.
“See you soon,” I murmur aloud, my eyes already drifting closed.
It took me another two hours before I finished taking care of things, and I still have so much left to do.
In all fairness, I wasn’t too thrilled to get motivated, but I knew I needed to. Things are starting to look up and when I’m done with loading everything in the truck maybe then I’ll do some yoga. Afterward I’m sure I’ll want to go out to the barn and take Snickers for a ride over to Levi’s place for the day. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen what he’s done to his place. My dad used to tell me everything he was doing over there, and now seems like a good as time as any to get my rear in gear and see what he was talking about.
I smile to myself as I get ready for the day. My hair is thrown up in my usual top knot if I’m just around home. I do my usual routine of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and putting on some mascara before getting dressed.
Grabbing a pair of riding pants, tee shirt, flannel, bra, and panties. It doesn’t take me long to get ready.
Once I’m downstairs, I start some coffee before I set off to have a better day. Seeing how much was bagged and boxed up yesterday. I thought I’d look at it this morning and want to put everything back in its place. I don’t though, my parents would be disappointed if I didn’t give their things that no one is now using to others in need. Especially so close to our first snow, there is so much that could be used.
“Hey, Pey,” I hear Buck call, as he knocks while walking through the side door that leads into the kitchen.
“Hi Buck, how are you?” I ask.
“I could ask the same question but, I’m okay. Came over to make sure you were alright, though,” he replies.
“Yeah, thinking I just needed to let it all out finally. I’m glad you called Levi though,” I say with a smile.
“First person that I knew could comfort you. This old man can’t lift you like I did when you scratched your knees back in the day.” I look at him and can see he’s more gray now than ever, his skin is weathered from the sun, but he’ll still always be Buck to me.
“Thank you, want some coffee?” I’m making my first cup and I know he usually enjoys a cup of coffee.
“Nah, I better get. You want me to have someone take this stuff to the church clothing shop in town?”
“That would be great. I was hoping to ride Snickers over to Levi’s today. I can move it all on the porch or load it up in a truck,” I suggest.
“I’ll pull the truck around and get Neil to help you load up and then he’ll take it in for you. It’s kinda slow out today.” He guffaws. I know he’s lying, there’s never a slow day on the ranch.
“Only if you’re sure.”
“Sure am, Pey. He’ll be over in a few minutes, you have a good day. You deserve it.” He comes up to me and squeezes my shoulder before making his leave.
I clean up the mess that I’ve made in the kitchen and go out on the front porch to sit on an old wooden rocking chair until Neil comes.
Today, I’m going to count my lucky stars that it will be better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be just as beautiful.
12
Levi
I hated leaving Peyton again. I can’t wait for the day that she’s in my bed each and every night and every morning. Today, I’m helping round out some calves to go to auction, then I’ll be working on the horses, and getting their vaccines updated.
It’ll take a few weeks until everything is settled between the ranches, but after that I’m asking Peyton to stay with me. The thought of her over there by herself, I can’t fucking stand it.
I finish loading the last of the calves up and start walking to the barn, when Ed comes up to me and lets me know I have a guest inside the house.
“Seeing that smile on your face, boy does it make it worth it that I got to tell you the news,” Ed says, as he walks away whistling.
He’s not wrong. Just thinking about Peyton inside a home that I hope to one day be ours, has me smiling like a loon.
“Thanks, Ed,” I holler to his back and make my way to my woman. Shit, I love the sound of that. A few of the ranch hands try to grab my attention. I tell them to see Ed. I’m usually more hands on. Something I’m noticing they’re getting more accustomed to and have them slacking at times. I’ll have to get with Ed and le
t him know what’s going on. I don’t mind helping anyone who needs it, but simple tasks shouldn’t be talked to death. It’s enough to make me think all they are doing is milking the clock.
Rushing to the house, I barely take in the rest of my surroundings. When I bought this plot of land from my parents, it was just that, a plot and nothing else. I found an old house that was set to be demolished if someone didn’t move it. I bought it for ten dollars, I shit you not. It needed a shit ton of work, and of course I had to pay to have it moved. Now that it’s here and restored, it’s perfect.
“Peyton,” I call out, as I walk into the mudroom, sliding my boots off, or at least attempting to. She comes around the corner just as I finish taking off the second one and she’s in my arms without any hesitation. “Hey, you,” she says, as my lips find hers. Having her taste on my lips, her tongue intertwining with mine. It’s one of my favorite things.
“I missed you today,” Peyton says, as we slowly break apart. She starts to back away, but I bring her in closer. My hands find her hips and I hold onto her, not wanting her to leave me just yet.
“Is that right? I may have to sleep with you more often. I liked the greeting I got when I came into the house,” I say, with a wink.
“Well it’s a good thing, because I’ve made myself quite at home while you were working,” she walks into the open family room. I took a lot of walls down to make it one big area.
“Yeah, how did you do that?” I ask her and follow her into the kitchen where I see brownies on the counter. Fuck, she remembered my guilty pleasure. I’m not much of a sweet eater, but if you put me in front of a plate of fudge brownies you can guarantee I’ll devour them whole.
“Baby,” I murmur into her ear as I’m walking up behind her. She sinks back into me, her head upturned to look into my eyes, and that’s when I see it. Her eyes are back to normal, the circles are slowly disappearing, and I know I had a hand in that.
“It’s not much, but I figured it’s the least I could do. I got breakfast and dinner in bed last night.” Bringing my lips down to hers, I kiss her. It’s not short and it’s definitely not sweet. She turns in my arms and I pick her up, bringing her ass on top of the counter as I step into her.
When we break apart, she says with a smirk on her face, “Well, if that’s what I get for making brownies, consider it a done deal every day.”
I laugh, fuck what she does to me. I take the rest of the day off and we sit on the couch shooting the shit when she finally tells me, “I forgot with everything that happened yesterday. My clinic hours have changed. I’m not sure how that happened, but I’m not questioning it.”
“That’s great. Another worry off your plate. When do you start?” I question already knowing the hours.
“I start on Sunday, of all days. A Sunday, this is one of those things that come with the territory. Why didn’t I decide to work at the Pediatric office instead?” she questions.
“Well at least you know you have options, if you decided you’d rather work those kinds of hours,” I murmur into her ear. She has her back to my side, and she’s tucked in as close as can be.
“True, I’ll have to see how it goes this winter. After that I should know where I stand. I guess I should get going. I have Snickers in one of your stalls,” she says, as she stands up.
“Ed told me. Why don’t you stay here tonight? You don’t have anything to do in the morning, do you?” I ask her.
“No, are you sure it’s okay? I don’t want to intrude in on your space,” she says, as she plays with her bun.
“If I had it my way, you’d always be in my bed, Peyton. Think I’ve told you that a time or two,” I say, with a laugh.
“Alright, I’ll stay. But I need clothes and a shower,” she states.
“I may have both of those. It is the twenty-first century.”
“Smart ass,” she laughs, as I lead her upstairs to the master bedroom.
13
Peyton
Levi gave me a pair of his boxer shorts and one of his shirts. I knew they’d be big. I just didn’t realize the boxers would need to be rolled up three times or that his shirt would hang almost to my knees. Our height differences really show with the clothes I’m wearing. I put a side knot in his shirt and walked out to his bedroom. His house really is charming, more updated than my parents’ house, and somewhere I could see kids running up and down the stairs. Maybe even sliding down the banister too.
I stop dead in my tracks. Levi is naked from the waist up, his back is to me and I can see the lines of his muscular back all the way down to his lower back where two dimples are formed. Levi’s skin is a deep honey color from working on the ranch and if he turns around, I will probably faint.
As if he hears me, Levi turns around. My heartbeat speeds up and if I thought his back was amazing, his front side is a work of art. From his arms to his pecs, down to his abs, and a small trail of hair that leads to a place I want to be most intimate with.
“Look at you,” he comes up to me.
“Me? Have you seen yourself, Mr. Heart?” I volley back.
“I like seeing you in my clothes, Peyton,” he grumbles.
“Well I guess it’s a good thing that I like being in your clothes,” I sass back to him.
“Get in bed, baby. I’ll be back out in just a few minutes,” he responds, and I watch him as he walks into the bathroom until he closes the door. What I wouldn’t give for a sneak peek at what he’s packing beneath his jeans.
I finally crawl into his bed. His bedroom is exactly what I would expect it to be — all hard woods gleaming in a dark walnut stain, it matches perfectly with the trim work that is used all around the house. The bed though, that’s the showstopper. It’s massive in size and definitely manly in style, yet it fits in perfectly. The deep olive-green bedding ties it all in.
Taking in Levi’s scent that surrounds me, it slowly lulls me into a dream like feeling. A smile is on my face and I snuggle into the pillow that’s beside me, something I’m noticing I do anytime I have something of Levi’s.
Moments later, I feel the pillow I was laying on being moved as Levi slides in beside me.
I hum out my appreciation of him getting into bed beside me. He turns me on my side as he spoons me and the last thing I hear him say is, “Goodnight, Peyton,” as I drift back to sleep.
14
Levi
The past few days Peyton and I have been inseparable. Now that she’s started working, it’s got me in a state of worry. I know she can drive on her own. That doesn’t mean I didn’t ask her to text me when she got there or when she got home. I’m just glad it’s now Thursday and she’s off for the next two days.
It’s been hell leaving her in the morning to get started on work. I’d make it back to the house just in time for her to leave.
What Peyton hasn’t realized is that she practically lives here now, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Though, I doubt she’s realized how much of her clothes are now in the closet and drawers. Not to mention the bathroom. It looks like a bomb went off most mornings, I just shake my head and smile. Seeing her things mingled with mine, I could give two shits about a mess if it means she never leaves.
When I walk in the door most evenings, I usually find her relaxing on the couch. Her knees are tucked in beneath her and she’s wrapped up in a throw blanket as she binges watches some show on Netflix.
The best part though, is she looks so at home here. Hell, she is my fucking home.
Every night I go to sleep with her tucked so close into me, there’s no room between us. I wake up most mornings and she has her leg hitched over my hip or is practically sleeping on top of me. It’s been the best form of torture.
One night, I woke to the feeling of her hand wrapped around my cock. I thought she was asleep, that joke was on me though.
When she whispered out my name, I knew she was awake and alert. My hand drifted down to where she was slowly jacking my cock, wrapping my hand around hers, and showing her just t
he way I liked it.
I’m not even ashamed at how fast she had me coming on my stomach. After that I whipped the shirt she was wearing off of her, cleaning myself up with it, and pounced. I tasted every inch of her body, from her lips, to her collarbone. Fuck, those sweet nipples of hers. She was so sensitive, I knew she could come with me just sucking on them. I wanted to savior that for another day. That night, I wanted her taste on my tongue most. My tongue traveled all the way down the curve of her stomach, only stopping when the shorts she was wearing kept me from my heaven.
“Oh, god, Levi,” she moaned, her hips going up in the air as I whisked the material down her legs and threw them somewhere in the distance.
I took my time. I brought her to the highest peak, only to bring her back down. Enjoying every moment and every taste. When she grabbed a fistful of my hair, thrusting her hips towards my mouth I knew she was ready to come. I used my thumb to slowly insert into her tight sheath. I didn’t want to hurt her. She told me the truth a couple of nights before this one, that she was a virgin. I didn’t want to hurt her, not after I finally get to have her. I’ve waited years for her, and I wanted to cherish every moment when we finally came together.
With my thumb slowly penetrating her, I turn my attention to her clit, sucking, nipping, and licking at it until she’s well on her way to coming for me.
“Right there, Levi. Please!” She all but screams. I look up and see her, she’s grabbing the sheets in her fists, head thrown back, and her breasts are heaving.
I speed up my pace and when she comes, it’s the sweetest taste I’ve ever had.
15