by Sade Rena
When I reach the entryway, Renee’s in the middle of the floor, dancing to a song from the radio. The way she moves is addicting. I stop in my tracks, mesmerized by the sway of her hips. The front of my jeans stiffens when she rubs her outer thighs. My breath catches, and I nearly choke.
I cough. “Um. Hey.” I say, and she twirls in my direction.
She smiles. “Hi.” The word lingers in the air, or maybe it’s all my imagination. “Ready?”
I rush over to the table, grabbing the portable sound system, tucking it under my arm. “I am.” I nod towards the picnic area.
She walks ahead of me, and I blow out a breath. Renee kicks off her shoes and falls to her knees on the covered patch in front of the flames. I follow suit, snuggling next to her on the red material. She scoots closer, digging into the basket, pulling out a Ziploc bag of assorted cheese.
“Fancy,” she jokes.
“Anything for you,” I say, meaning every word.
She pops a piece in her mouth while taking out both stemless wine glasses and Leah’s favorite wine. “Ooo. She is going to kill you,” she adds, but that doesn’t stop her from cracking the seal on the bottle.
I laugh. “Says the woman who’s about to drink it. You must want her to kill me.”
She licks her lips. “I’d never want that.”
“Oh yeah? So that means you like me,” I state, inching closer.
“Maybe.”
Her eyes beam, and I sigh. This woman.
I hold out my glass, letting her fill it to the brim. “Oh. You’re trying to get me drunk, I see.”
She grins and huffs at the same time. “Sorry. One glass for me is more like two and a half.”
“I can tell,” I add and take a sip.
She does the same before shifting to lie on her back. I mimic her lead, nuzzling next to her head.
“All right, tell me. Aside from working here, and volunteering during the fair, what do you like? Any hobbies?”
“I love building things and seeing the finished product. Believe it or not, I built pretty much every structure on this farm. Designed and put up Denton and Leah’s house too. This season has been crazy, so I haven’t been able to focus, but I’m almost done with mine. I’ll be on the other side of the property, opposite of them, and as far away from my parents as I can get.”
She laughs at that last line.
“I used to want to open a construction company. Me and Chance.”
“And you didn’t because?”
“My family. This property. This lifestyle has been passed down through generations. Dad left Denton and me to run this place and our kids after us. Kind of no room for anything else.”
“But you can still do both. You’ll just have to hire people to help you,” she adds, her words laced with sincerity.
“I guess the motivation just ain’t been there.”
“Well, we need to change that, sir. I don’t do slackers.” She smiles.
I read the side of her face, not looking for anything in particular. I just want to see her.
“I like the way I am with you,” I say after a brief pause, and her eyes fall to my lips.
She turns away and exhales. “It’s so peaceful out here. You’re so lucky,” she says after a beat.
“Why do you say that?” I quiz, tilting so I can stare at her.
“You’ve lived here your entire life. You’ve had lots of time to just be out, embracing the night air and letting your mind roam free.”
“Well, you’re here now.”
She nods while gazing at the stars. I play with the hair that fan out around her head. She’s wearing it straight today, different from the curls she usually sports.
“You’re welcome to lie out here anytime you want,” I add, and she faces me.
I lean in to kiss her, expecting her to turn away or something, but she doesn’t. Instead, she stares at me, waiting for my touch.
I peer into her eyes, placing a kiss on her nose and still fingering the strands of hair. “So why, Texas? And why, Coldbank? You could have gone anywhere in the states.”
She sighs. “I don’t know. I sort of always wanted to live here. I told you I love the country. Being surrounded by land and nature is so soothing. I spent time in the country parts of North Carolina, but I always imagined it a little different here. Plus, it’s new to me. I wanted someplace far away. Someplace that could give me that small-town vibe, yet still providing me with the needed social interaction a city can give. I’ve spent so much time working and caring for everybody else; this was like a treat for myself. You know? It’s affordable to live here, which is what I need to finally follow my dreams.”
“You mean the writing?” I question. “Leah told me you’re an author. That you’re out here to live in your truth.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the plan. But, I have to make some money at this thing if I actually want that.” She rolls her neck.
“What’s stopping you from making money?”
“Nothing really. I just need to pen a damn good book, and market the hell out of it.”
“So, what’s getting in the way of that?”
Her eyes find mine. “Did Leah tell you anything other than my dreams of writing?” She plays with a strand of grass.
“Nothing other than you wanting to start over.”
She nods. “I was engaged, but it ended badly.” Her chin drops, and I can hear the pain in her voice.
“What happened?”
She sniffles. “He didn’t choose me.” Her voice cracks, and she’s quick to wipe her cheek. “There were things through the years that I should have never let slide. But when you love someone, you overlook a lot, make excuses, and you stay. Then he cheated. That tied with all the other negatives-” she adds, blinking away the hurt. “It was time. I needed to be away from the heartache. I wanted to refocus on myself and get back to what makes me happy. As a published author, I can take my work anywhere. So here I am.” She forces a laugh, but the devastation is still clear in her tone.
“Hey.”
She glances up at me.
“I’d choose you.”
Her eyes shut, and she takes a deep breath. For a minute, I think I’ve upset her, but she then straddles me, pushing me down onto my back, crashing her mouth on mine. My moans are involuntary, and my hands go straight to her ass. I lean up, meeting her kiss, rolling my tongue around hers and squeezing her butt.
Just like before, it feels wonderful in my grasp. She runs her palms to my chest and back, slightly moving her pelvic against me. Heat stirs in my gut, trailing down to my groin and toes. She exhales, the warmth and scent of her sending chills down my spine.
I run my hands along her back, slipping under her shirt and gripping her shoulders. I push up, my dick brushing against her center. She purrs and arches her back. I sit up, move her hair behind her ears, and take her lobe between my teeth. I tug before kissing behind it, moving down her neck, where I focus on her collarbone.
She swallows, and I lick her throat and move my hands around it. When I apply pressure there, I wait to see her reaction. She stares at me, daring me to tighten my grip. I do and steal a taste of her lips.
God, this woman. I swear she’ll be the death of me.
Renee sits back and forces me to lie down. I love the way she looks perched on top of me. So sensual. So beautiful. The flames dance off her brown skin, and the glow fuels my arousal. She lifts the tail of my shirt, working to remove it, but I stop her.
She stares at me, confused as to why I’ve interrupted her. Hell, I wonder myself. I’d like nothing more than to have her hands on my skin. My dick twitches from the memory of her nails scraping against my flesh. Excitement builds in my core, and I close my eyes. I tell myself to relax, hoping not to have a repeat of our last sexual encounter.
This ain’t the first time I’ve made out with a woman. I’ve even seen Madison’s breast—a lot. So why is it that, just that thought of Renee, turns me into a pubescent teen? Every time our
gazes meet, every time she lets me kiss her or walk into a room, I lose all sense of functionality. I develop foot in mouth syndrome, or like before; I soil my pants without ever coming close to even smelling her sweet stench.
A low growl bubble in my throat, and I glance up at her, my hands planted on either side of her face. I shake my head, and she slouches, using body language to say she understands.
Lord knows I want her. But honestly, I don’t think I’m ready yet. Let me clarify; I want to fuck her— all day and all night. But every time I’m wrapped up in ecstasy, I think back on her words to make this mean something. Strange, I know, most guys would have jumped at the chance to have sex. But I don’t want our moment to be like this. Out here in the open, under the watch of cattle. I want her alone and as vulnerable as possible.
She leans in, giving me another kiss before preparing to scoot off my lap. I stop her and hold her in place. We stare at each other for a moment, neither voicing a thought or concern. I touch her cheek again, and she plants her palm over my hand, tilting her head and inhaling.
I grab her left hip, guiding her back and forward, being sure not to break eye contact. She picks up on my unspoken message, grinding her pussy into me, rocking until I’m lost in how amazing she feels.
She leans on my chest, pushing against me for balance while she continues to ride me through our clothes. Renee forces a breath through her nose, pulling me from my trance.
“Damn,” I whisper, tempted to close my eyes again for fear that seeing the sexual expressions on her lips will make me blow my load. We’ve been down that road, and even though she’s here now, I don’t want her to see me as some overly eager boy. I’m a man, and I want to be hers.
She continues to buck her hips, pressing our groins together with each movement, all the while never taking her eyes off me—until now.
“Um.” Her speed picks up, and she moans with her head back and mouth wide open.
She wants to cum, and she’s almost there; I can tell by the way her legs squeeze at my sides. I rise to help her to meet the pleasure she so desperately seeks. She bunches my shirt into a fist with her mouth wide.
Temptation strikes, and I build the courage to help her. I reach for her crotch, finding her clit through her jeans and apply pressure. Her back arches more, and she shivers at my touch, giving me the reaction I need to continue what I’m doing. I rub her, not caring about the barrier between us. Her body doesn’t seem to mind because her breaths quicken, and her moans are louder, disturbing the animals who call out seconds after she does.
“Fuck, Renee, you look so good sitting on me.” I lick my lips.
“Um.” She takes my hand, replacing them to her neck, instructing me to squeeze.
God, why did she do that?
I pump upward as a tingling sensation grows in my balls, and I know I’ll finish soon. But not before her. I hop up, flipping her onto her back, placing one leg near my shoulder and thrust against her. My dick grows in my pants, and she releases sexy cries into my mouth from the friction it brings.
Now on my elbow, we lock eyes, both losing ourselves in the gaze. My spine caves, almost rendering me incapable of continuing, but I won’t let myself go without her. I don’t wait long.
Her nails dig into my back. “Oh… fuck. Parker, don’t stop humping me.”
“Gah… I won’t, baby.” I lick her neck, and she shifts to allow me.
“Oh my… Ah. Damn, damn. I’m going to-”
“Ah… fuck, Renee.”
Her name falls off my tongue, and almost in unison, we both collapse, elated from the moment. I hold my position on top of her, taking the time to gaze into her eyes. As her breathing settles, she stares back at me, a subtle grin lingering on her lips.
She looks away, but I reach for her chin, lifting it, so we make eye contact again. I smile and devour her mouth one more time, loving the way she feels underneath me probably more than I did having her on top of me.
I huff, sliding off her, but stealing a peck along the way. Adjusting my pants, I feel the wetness from both of us. Any other time, I’d be embarrassed, but the look of satisfaction she gives makes me proud. She rolls over onto my chest, moving, so my arm is resting under her head while she snuggles against me. I glance down at her hair and take a strand in my grasp, mentally storing this date as one of the best I’ve ever had.
Chapter Eleven
Renee
“So how was the party two weekends ago? Did you make out like a teenager?” Leah pries as we walk the mall in Bradford.
“Yes, we made out.” I roll my eyes at my friend.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Shut up.”
She laughs. “Did you also make like a college student and have sexy times?”
“No. We didn’t even stay for the entire party. A fight broke out, so we left. We hung around the ranch and talked.” I say instead of telling her about how close we were to sexy time.
“Gosh. You’re so boring.” She frowns.
I shove her. “What?”
“How am I supposed to live vicariously through you if you’re being a goody two-shoe?”
“Why do you need to? You have a whole ass husband at home.”
“Exactly. No more spontaneous hookups for me. I look to you to learn about all the things I’m missing now that I’m taken.”
“Trust me; you’re not missing anything.”
I lead the way into the clothing store with Leah following behind me.
“All right. Leave out the sex.”
I twirl to face her; my voice raised to a higher frequency. “There was no sex. We just talked. People do that, you know?”
“Not two people who both need to get laid and who has the thickest sexual chemistry ever witnessed.”
“Now, you’re just dramatic.” I stop my purse strap from falling from my shoulder and search through a row of blouses.
“And, you’re boring.”
“Whatever, I’m going to the dressing room,” I blurt and make my way in that direction.
The clerk allows me entry, and I take my time trying on each item. I didn’t come to buy anything, only to keep Leah company. But if she keeps giving me the third degree, I’ll be trying on every piece of clothing in the store.
For the next several minutes, we take turns judging outfits for each other before going back in search of something else.
“When is the next date?” She holds a dress under her chin.
I frown and tell her to hang that mess backup. “We haven’t planned anything. After the party, we dove back into the renovation.”
“How much longer do you think he’ll be?” She shuffles through the rack.
“Parker said the house has great bones. There are no major repairs, only cosmetic stuff, so it won’t take as long as most projects. He’s been over every day for the last week and a half trying to knock this out. And because he enlisted Chance, and Zack’s help, the downstairs is almost done. We only had to do the floors in the living room, and since we’re keeping it consistent, they finished both areas. Now we need to paint the walls and stain the cabinets. Afterward, he’ll start taking care of upstairs.”
“I bet he will.”
“Oh, shut up.” I throw a thin shirt on her head.
She yanks it off and darts her eyes at me. “It seems like he’s moving fast.”
“I’ve been trying to help, so that speeds up the process a little. I think he’s having one of his friends helping next week.”
From the corner of my eye, I notice a figure approaching us. I turn in time to see a baby-faced brunette waving in our direction. Leah straightens her posture, embracing herself for a hug from the young woman.
“Hey, Leah,” she says shyly.
“I didn’t know you were back in town,” Leah says dryly.
“I came back a week ago. Been busy helping daddy around the farm, so I hadn’t had time to stop by.”
“Oh,” is all Leah offers.
“How’s everyone?
” The girl asks.
My phone rings. “Excuse me,” I say while digging in my bag for it.
Parker’s name beams on the front of it, and I smile. Answering it, I mouth to Leah I’ll be back and exit to take my call in private.
“Hey,” I let out.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“In the mall with Leah. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I wanted to hear your voice. I’ve seen you every day for the last couple of weeks. It’s kinda weird I’m not seeing you today.”
My cheeks heat and rise to my eyes. “There’s always tomorrow.”
“That’s true. But, I’ll be distracted with work, and that ain’t as fun.”
“But distractions cause injuries. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt on the job. I don’t pay Workers Comp,” I joke.
He laughs. “Can you tell I kinda miss hanging out with you?”
“Yes, I can.”
I can sense his smile through the receiver and can’t keep from growing one of my own.
“How’s Harley?” I quiz to break the moment of silence.
“He’s good. I took him out earlier today to rally up the heifers.”
I chuckle. “That sounds fun.”
“It can be. But I got my fix, so let me go. I’ll get with you tomorrow.”
He can’t see me, but I nod anyway. “Can’t wait.”
I end the call and turn to reenter the store, beaming with contentment and satisfaction. Leah was right, and no matter how hard I try to fight it, I needed this. I needed to meet Parker, the same way I needed someone to make me feel the way he does.
Things with him are different—easy. There’s no pressure to meet expectations. He only wants me to be myself. He’s not looking to dominate or change anything. He just wants to be around. I find myself eager for his calls and excited to work on the house because he’ll be there.
If anybody had told me months ago things would be like this, I would’ve called them crazy. Because who moves across the country and finds themselves in a real-life romance novel? Who after having their world ripped apart by the one they loved, only to meet someone so soon and have it feel more real than what they’ve lost?