by Bowie, Emily
I like this new side of Rhett, the sweet, charming one. I get why he has millions of female fans that fall fast at his feet.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” The mischief in his eyes tells me that he’s baiting me.
I look to the four-wheeler then to the wet dirt ahead of us. My lips twist into an amused smile while I lift a manicured eyebrow. “If you’re too pretty to get dirty, I’ll keep your secret.”
Rhett shakes his head as a deep chuckle leaves him. Coming toward me, he places a large helmet on me that covers my whole face. A small section is open for me to see through, and he swats the visor down to cover my face entirely.
“Always the comedian,” he comments, tapping the top of my head as I blow him a kiss. I’m about to pout about him not having to wear a helmet when he places his on too.
“Race you to the end?” he prompts over his shoulder as the two of us step onto our machines.
I was born on these. I drove them before helmets were popular and it’s what you did before you got your real license. I can feel my face beam, doing something so normal and casual with Rhett. It makes me feel like we’re just two everyday people out on a date.
My thumb hammers on the throttle, and I take off, with Rhett calling after me about not being ready. The thrill of the speed, the wind, and the dirt flying everywhere feels freeing. I can feel the mud splattering on the back of me as the tires spin trying to get traction to keep its speed up. I can’t contain my excitement when I feel a tire slip as my machine tries to spin, but I get it back.
We make it to the end of the pit at the same time. Lifting my splattered visor, I call out, “Rematch?” as I ease off the gas, coming to a stop.
“You crazy? I know when I have no chance of winning.” His voice is light and carefree as he comes to a stop beside me.
There is no wind in the little pit-like area, with trees surrounding it all. The sky is a warm blue with hints of clouds stretched across the sky. Even with fall temperatures, it is comfortable enough for just a long T-shirt and pants.
“Hop on then.” I nod behind me, loving the way he laughs at me.
I’m not sure if he’s going to cave, but then he steps off the four-wheeler, coming toward me. Instead of jumping on the back, he spins me around so my legs are on one side. His hands stop on top of my thighs and my hands immediately migrate on top. I can’t help myself; I scoot forward, loving how his body hovers over me. I try to ignore how his eyes twinkle at me and how my heart picks up, feeling his skin touching mine.
Surprising me, he picks me up and carries me over to his four-wheeler, placing me on the back of his. I jab him with my fingers, thinking, always so cocky, and I love it.
“If you get too scared, just hold on tighter.” He gives me a wink as he straddles the off-roading vehicle.
Doing as I’m told, I scoot in closer, keeping my chest flush to his back as my hands hold onto him. Revving the engine, mud starts flying as we do a donut, his tires digging deeper into the ground before we shoot forward. I can feel the wind hitting my face before he starts to make figure-eights into the dirt, covering us in mud from head to toe.
Rhett and I are finally starting to figure things out. We are doing… good. Even with our fight, I feel like we jumped a hurdle as we both recognize how we’re starting to feel, acknowledging this is no longer just for show. I almost have to pinch myself, as each day with Rhett is becoming more than I imagined. I honestly thought I would have killed him by the end of day two.
The tires slip before the rush of the gas tries to overcorrect our movement. The adrenaline is addictive, making me want to do this all day. When I feel a spot that allows me to loosen my grip, my fingers explore down, making sure to get a grope of his ever-present erection.
I love knowing I do that to him.
When he starts taking the turns less sharp, I know he’s liking it too, making me stop fondling and start exploring toward his abs, just to be a tease.
“My turn!” I yell, and even as the helmet muffles me, I can hear the vibrancy in my voice.
“Judging how you drove earlier, I may not survive on the back,” he teases me.
“Oh shush. You love it.”
Pulling me on his lap, his hands remove some of the mud stuck to my visor, so I can see him clearly. He has this new look on his face I can’t seem to pinpoint. Before I can think too deeply into it, he’s switching places with me.
I see a spot of dirt we haven’t marked, making it my new destination. Feeling his hands around me, I gun it, making his earlier comment truer than necessary. What can I say? I like proving him right sometimes.
Plowing through the untouched dirt, I hear Rhett hollering behind me, but with the helmets, I can’t make out what he’s saying. Reaching the end, I come to a full stop at the same time he’s ripping his helmet off.
His jacket is being thrown off into the dirt while I watch in confusion as he starts ripping his pants off.
“Ants!” he yells before he’s standing in only his boxers.
Looking down at myself, I see little red ants all over me. “That’s an anthill?”
Jumping off the four-wheeler I mimic Rhett’s actions till I’m only standing in my bra and panties. The air has a new chill in it.
“You crazy lady, you went right through a freaking anthill.” His breath is ragged, matching mine.
“How was I suppose to know?”
We both look down at our mud-ridden clothes and the ants covering them. Bursting out in laughter, we look at each other half-naked. Rhett is standing, adorable, with his six-pack on full display and his broad shoulders making him seem like he was trying for this look. There is a slight smear of dirt on his cheek, but it doesn’t detract from his hotness. I try to resist staring, but it’s impossible.
Stalking toward me, he lifts me by cupping my ass and kisses me. My fingers tug at his hair, giving this kiss my all.
“Tell me you feel this too,” he says, pulling away from my lips.
“So much so, it scares the hell out of me.”
*
I want to keep this excitement on Camilla’s face. It takes everything in me not to take her right here. Reluctantly, I place her down on the ground. We stand there holding each other before I move the strands of hair covering part of her face to behind her ear.
“How are we going to get back into town?”
Both our eyes go to the pile of clothing. “I’m going to have to call Kellen.” Her eyes go wide. “I’ll make sure he brings a blanket for you. I’m not about to allow you to drive through town in your underwear on a four-wheeler. Otherwise, this town will make sure you never leave.”
“We’re filthy. Is he even going to want us in his truck?”
“He owes me enough he won’t care.”
*
As soon as we hear the sound of a diesel truck, I place Camilla behind me, not wanting anyone to get a glimpse of her.
Kellen steps out with the blanket and then turns his back. Only then do I turn toward her, wrapping her up in a fluffy blanket. “You’re beautiful as hell. This is my favorite look on you,” I say low enough for only her to hear.
The whole way home, I keep my hand on Camilla’s thigh, moving my thumb in small circles. She keeps looking over at me, and I feel the two of us become closer than we’ve ever been before. We have always had the chemistry, but this here is something entirely different. She calms me in ways no one has been able to before. I refuse to think much more about it, not wanting to jinx what we have.
Leaning into her, I whisper, “I think I’m going to have to wash you clean.”
She gives me a look like she’s scared Kellen can hear. I shrug unapologetically, enjoying the way her eyes still light up at my words. It doesn’t matter where I go; I have a feeling that anywhere with Camilla will feel like home. Maybe I just needed her to come back home with me to show me what I could have.
CHAPTER 30
When we get back to the house, we run up the stairs together as I preten
d to try to tug at her blanket. I’ve planned for Shay and Luke to take the kids out to the zoo and dinner on me in exchange for the house to ourselves.
Tugging at the end of the blanket, a small section dips, showing off her smooth back. She turns, lifting one brow as she giggles, pressing a kiss to my lips before she’s on the run again.
She has to take two steps for my every one. Just as she gets to our doorway, I take hold of the blanket and it falls to the floor.
“Rhett,” she scolds.
“No one here but you and me.”
She stands a little taller. “Is that so?”
Nodding, I take a step closer to her, my hands already out and ready to touch that smooth skin of hers. My palms sweep up and down her arms. I can feel her visibly shiver before she steps closer to me. As I pick her up, her legs automatically cross behind my back.
I start walking us toward the bathroom, not caring if we’re leaving dirt behind. I’ll clean it later. Placing Camilla on the counter, I turn on the shower, giving it time to steam up the room. The dirt on her skin does nothing to diminish her beauty.
“I still can’t believe I drove us through an anthill.” Her head shakes, but she doesn’t look that sorry.
“I think this was your plan to get me naked.”
She pretends to think about it. “Maybe.”
I can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous she is on the inside and out, and she’s all mine. I somehow got my girl, and I don’t plan to ever let her go.
“What are you smirking about?” she asks, her small hands starting to explore my skin.
“Honestly, I can’t believe I got my shit together enough for you to be here, wanting to be with me.”
“I did try to put up a fight.”
My hands move the hair covering her face toward her back. There are chunks of mud tangling her ends. “You couldn’t fight the beard in the end,” I spar back with her, loving the way she never backs down from me.
“Imagine how much faster you could have convinced me if this was gone.” Her hand lightly touches the side of my face, smoothing my facial hair.
“You know I love the chase as much as the catch in the end.” With that, I kiss her. I can’t get enough of her lips, and I never want to stop. Each sweep of our tongues, I savor, trying to memorize this moment.
My fingertips lightly trace around her tits, moving in to circle her nipple, teasing her, wanting her to want more.
I can feel her lips widen as she realizes what I’m doing.
Picking her up, I walk us into the shower, the steam welcoming us before the warm spray hits our bodies.
*
Leaving Camilla in the bathroom, I head downstairs to start prepping dinner. My ma left me with what she calls a foolproof recipe. AKA, a premade casserole. All I have to do is not burn it. Pouring Camilla and me each a glass of wine, I then go to turn on my sister’s calming playlist.
I’m digging in the cupboards, trying to see if there are any candles, when Camilla taps me on the shoulder, making me startle in surprise, hitting my head on the cabinet.
Straightening myself with some dignity, I try not to rub at the aching spot that’s screaming at me.
“You okay?” Her fingers go into my undone hair, gently rubbing at the small bump starting to form.
“I wasn’t expecting you down so fast.” She’s wearing a long dress that touches the floor. It looks silky, hugging her in all the right places.
My hand goes to her back, feeling the smooth material, pulling her in closer for me to kiss those lips of hers again.
“You cooking?”
I can see the skepticism on her face. “I am,” I say slowly, moving my head toward the oven that has its light on.
“You made that?”
“My ma made it, but I’m cooking it,” I clarify, keeping my gaze on her. She tries to muffle the laughter at the tip on her tongue, making her cheeks billow out.
“I bet your cooking will taste delicious then.”
“Damn right it will.” I still haven’t let go of her. She fits perfectly into me, like each of her curves was designed with me in mind.
“What were you looking for?” She tries to peer around me.
Reluctantly, I let her go. “I was hoping to find some candles.”
“You’re really trying to pull off all the stops. I’m impressed, Steele.”
“I do everything at a hundred and ten percent.”
She kneels down, pulling out two long candlesticks that look like they will do the job perfectly.
The pleasant smell from dinner starts to take over the kitchen as I go about setting the table. I keep Camilla in my view at all times. I can’t help it; it’s become a habit. She goes to the oven and crouches down, looking at the dish that’s cooking.
The last time I ate a home-made meal was the last time I was home. “When was the last time you had a home-cooked meal? I seem to only get them when I come to Texas.”
“Yeah, usually when I go home. I don’t have time to cook for myself. I’m usually always on the go. But last tour I did with Kellie, we made sure to have a chef at a few stops. He made us home-cooked meals.”
She blows out a breath, standing back up, her hip resting on the counter. “Thank you, for all of this.” Her hands gesture out. “You didn’t have to do it, but I appreciate that you did.”
I take a sip of my wine, watching her over the rim. “You’re welcome. I know you would have done something similar for me.”
She moves toward the island, taking her glass of wine. “I’m assuming this is for me?”
“They’re both for me.” I shrug, trying to make my response believable, but it’s not.
“Well in that case.” She takes a loud sip, making sounds much like she did earlier in the shower.
“That good?”
“The best I’ve had all day.” Her giggles erupt, and I place my wine down as I go to grab her, but she’s faster than me. We circle around the island, as if I’m on the hunt. She teases me by coming closer to only run the opposite direction. It’s not long before she dashes into the living room. I jump the couch to catch her in my hands. The impact takes me down and she falls on top of me.
My fingers dig into her hips, tickling her, and I demand her to take it back.
“Never.” She laughs, the words forced out as she wiggles in my hold.
We wrestle like teenagers until I give. The two of us stay lying on the floor, catching our breaths.
The chime on the oven has me standing up and pulling Camilla with me.
“Time to have the second-best thing in your mouth today.”
Her cheeks blush as I lead her toward the table I set for us. Pulling her chair out, she takes a seat, while I go take out our dinner.
CHAPTER 31
“Come for a walk with me. I want to show you around.” I’m pulling Camilla up from her seat on the couch. The light is shining perfectly down on her and she looks cozy in the mermaid tail blanket Shay keeps around.
“One more chapter,” she pleads, waving Shay’s Kindle at me.
“You’ve been reading all day.”
“You’re the one who keeps telling me I need to relax and rest.” Her eyes shift toward me then to her book, her bottom lip jutting out.
“One more chapter, then we go. I already have to share you with my family tonight.”
She waves me off, the brightness in her brown eyes warm and happy.
I sit right down beside her, giving her no room. Her forehead creases as she glances at me. Refusing to be deterred, she rearranges her position and places her feet on my legs.
“What are you reading?” I ask, loving the way her facial expressions change as she reads.
“A small-town romance.”
“The main guy, is he like me?”
Her eyes don’t move from the page. “Nope, it’s a friends-to-lovers romance.”
“Huh.” Not really sure I know what she means other than they’re friends and they bang. But I get the gist o
f it. “If you had to place us into a category, what would it be?”
“Do you want me to go for this walk or not?”
“I’m ready when you are.” I pretend to get comfortable, showing her I can stay here all day.
She rolls her eyes before shaking her head. “You’re not going to let me finish this, are you?”
My hand flies to my chest, acting like I have no idea what she’s saying. “Whatever do you mean?”
“All right, let’s go, and then I can finish this in peace afterward.”
“That’s the spirit.” I take her hands, pulling her up.
*
Our town is fairly small. I drive us to Nelly’s, where we park the car then walk down Main Street, heading toward the high school.
“It was in high school when Shay and Luke got together originally,” I tell her as the school comes into view. “Luke was always at our house, and he and Kellen were best friends.”
“How did Kellen take that?”
“By then, I moved to Nashville, but from the stories, not good. Kellen tried to kick his ass a few times over it.”
“Yeah, Shay mentioned you boys made her life hard sometimes.”
I scratch at my beard. “I suppose we did. Mostly Brax and Kellen though. I never went through the growing pains of seeing Shay mature.”
“Do you ever wish you visited more?”
“Yeah, I do now, but never before. I was so consumed with myself and making it in Nashville that home was far from my mind.”
“Yeah, I get that. I’m much the same way. I came to Nashville for a year before my infamous audition. I handed out demos, but the demos were done poorly. I had no idea what I was doing. I ended up waitressing and not getting any singing gigs. Well, the ones that paid. I sang in a few bars, but it never went further than that. I ran out of money and had to go home. I was so close to quitting when I finally got the news I had made it. In all those years, I never stopped dreaming of what I’m living now, but I had to sacrifice a lot of family time.”