by Peyton Banks
“Maybe.” Stan moved toward him and blew out a deep breath.
Parker fell in step with him. He had a limp left over from his bull riding days. A bad accident had retired the bull rider earlier than expected.
They walked in silence, exiting the barn.
“Want to talk about it?” Parker asked.
They ambled over to the fence that surrounded the corral where Rashad was working with a new colt. The Blazing Eagle Ranch always ensured they had fresh horses around for the back-breaking work that was required of all the employees.
Stan leaned against the fence and shook his head. “Not sure it will do any good. I truly fucked up.”
“Ah, so woman problems,” Parker murmured. “You and Nasia?”
Stan would be surprised that Parker knew about Nasia, but then again, Wade knew of her, so that meant the middle brother would have shared with his brothers.
“Yeah.” Stan blew out a deep breath watching the colt’s antics. He was as stubborn one, but Rashad was a master of breaking new horses in. He had a way about him that the animals responded to.
“I was happy to hear you had started dating. Why do you think you fucked up?”
Stan removed his hat and combed through his hair. He grimaced, feeling how damp it was.
“Well, you know what happened between me and Victoria.” He began the story and ended with him at the diner and being confronted by Nasia.
Parker didn’t say a word and allowed him to get it off his chest.
“Shit.” Parker cursed. He turned and glanced at Stan. He reached out and rested a hand on Stan’s shoulder. “Look, you know I’m your friend and love you like a brother. My advice, get down on your knees and grovel at Nasia’s feet to beg for forgiveness.”
Stan snorted.
His friend wasn’t saying anything he didn’t already know.
The hurt on Nasia’s face when she realized that he had compared her to his ex-wife just about brought him to his knees. When she’d turned and walked away without looking at him, it had left him gutted.
He didn’t know if he could repair the damage that was done.
“I don’t even know if she’d take me back.” He sighed.
It also didn’t help that Victoria had gone to her café and told her how they’d spoken several times about getting back together. So there was already doubt in Nasia’s mind, then him not returning her calls and avoiding her solidified what his conniving ex-wife had told her.
“I just don’t know how I can make it up to her. She knew how badly I was hurt by Victoria. She’d done everything in her power to show me how she wasn’t anything like Victoria, and I ignored all the signs and only saw one thing.”
“How did you forget she was a twin? I mean, you all did talk about family in between, you know…” Parker elbowed him playfully.
“Yes, I know she’s a twin. I’ve never met her sister in person. Just saw pictures of them, but all I can say is that night, my brain malfunctioned. It took me back to the day I walked in on Victoria, and I …” He shook his head, unable to finish his train of thought.
“What you need to do is share this with Nasia. One thing I’ve learned over the years, is honesty is the best key. Put it all on the table, and if she accepts, then you need to make sure you show her how much you love her.” Parker paused and leaned against the fence, his gaze locked on Stan. “You do love her, right?”
“Yes, I do. More than anything in the world.”
That felt good to get off his chest. He hadn’t even shared it with her, and now it may be too late. She had said she’d loved him.
In past tense.
His heart cracked thinking that she would no longer love him.
“Then take your sorry ass from my ranch and go to your woman. Your mood is affecting the horses in the barn.” Parker chuckled.
Stan smiled, appreciating his friend was trying to comfort him.
“Yes, sir.” Stan gave Parker a salute and pushed away from the fence. He marched toward where his truck was parked, determined to win his woman back.
He didn’t care what he would have to do, Nasia was going to hear him out.
14
“Aren’t you glad your little sister is here to take care of you?” Aleka teased.
She had come back to Shady Springs to keep Nasia company. After her confrontation with Stan, Nasia just hadn’t felt like doing anything.
She was a mess.
Aleka refused to have her moping around by herself. She’d arrived in her normal fashion, blowing into the house. She’d forced Nasia to shower, put clothes on, and do her hair. Then she’d dragged Nasia from the house and to the grocery store.
“I’m glad to see you whenever we can,” Nasia murmured, staring out the passenger window. The town went by in a blur. She didn’t see any of it.
All she saw was Stan.
The pained expression on his face when she’d screamed at him that it had been her sister he’d witnessed.
How could he just shut her down?
He hadn’t even wanted to fight for her?
“Good. I’m going to cook you a delicious meal, then we are going to binge Netflix and eat ice cream,” Aleka rambled.
“Sounds fun.” Nasia cleared her throat. She would allow Aleka to spoil her. It was second nature for them.
When they were younger, they’d joked about twin powers. There was a special connection where they sensed certain feelings in each other. Their parents always thought they were crazy when they shared this with them. It wasn’t anything like reading minds, but they had a strong bond where they could just tell when the other was sad or happy.
“We are home,” Aleka announced. She parked the vehicle outside the garage and killed the engine. She glanced in the rearview mirror. “Who is that?”
Nasia turned around and peered through the back window and froze.
Stan.
His new truck came to park behind Aleka’s.
Nasia’s gaze met Aleka’s shocked one.
“What is he doing here?” Nasia murmured.
“Is that the infamous Stan?” Aleka practically growled.
Nasia nodded.
Aleka flew from the car before Nasia could even react.
“Crap,” Nasia muttered. She exited the vehicle to see Aleka standing near the trunk of her ride with her arms folded in front of her chest.
Stan sat in his truck staring at the both of them. She went to stand by her sister, who was practically fuming.
Stan’s door opened, and he stepped out of his truck. His gaze flickered between the two of them then landed on her.
“Nasia, can we talk?” he asked.
Her gaze greedily took him in. He was dressed in his flannel shirt, jeans, and shitkickers. His head was free of his Stetson, showcasing his dark hair combed away from his face.
“Oh, so now you can tell us apart,” Aleka fumed.
“Aleka…” Nasia grabbed her sister’s arm. Without a doubt, Aleka would stand up for her and fight her battles, but this was one that she needed to do.
“I deserved that.” Stan walked to the front of his truck and faced off with both of them. “I’m not perfect and I’m coming here to beg for your sister to forgive me.”
Nasia’s heart skipped a beat.
He was here to beg?
“What you did was shady. How do you just cut her off like that? I had to deal with your fuck-up and come back down here to—”
“Aleka,” Nasia snapped, moving in front of her sister. The mama bear in her sister was coming out. She rested a hand on Aleka’s cheek. “I got this, sis. Go in the house.”
“Hell naw. Anything he got to say, he can say in front of me.” Aleka stepped back and leaned against her car.
Nasia turned back to Stan whose wide eyes were locked on her twin. He settled them on Nasia.
“She can be little protective of me,” Nasia admitted.
“I see.” He cleared his throat. His voice shook slightly, but he held her gaze. “Nas
ia, I have to say, I was the biggest asshat in the whole damn state of Colorado.”
Aleka snorted.
Nasia ignored her.
Stan moved to stand before her. He tipped her chin up, forcing her to stare up into his eyes.
“You know my history, and I have to say it came back to me, blinding me to the truth. Now seeing you two standing together, I can see that you’re identical, but I can tell the difference. My mind blanked on the fact that you’re a twin. I just got so caught up in my feelings, thinking the woman I loved was kissing another man.”
“You love me?” She rested her hands on his chest, unable to keep herself from touching him.
His hands skated along her body and came to rest on her waist.
“More than life itself. I know we haven’t been together long, but everything about you is perfect for me. The night you brought me back here and, um…” His gaze flicked over her shoulder to her sister.
“I know the night you are speaking of,” she said, saving him the embarrassment.
“Sounds like I need to hear what happened that night,” Aleka joked.
“Shut it, sis. It’s none of your business.” Nasia looked over her shoulder at her sister whose eyebrows were elevated.
She turned back to Stan, feeling herself softening toward him. His tortured look had her heart melting.
He cupped her cheek with his large hand, his eyes boring into hers.
“I was so angry, I was seeing red. I needed time to process everything. I had planned to come and see you so we can talk.”
“We should have spoken right away. I didn’t even know my sister had a guy at my house until I had returned back to Shady Springs after going to Denver.”
He closed his eyes briefly then opened them again.
“Baby, please forgive me. There have never been any plans for me to get back with Victoria. She’s been lying to you.”
“But you two were laughing and smiling at each other—”
He placed a finger to her lips to silence her.
“I went to the diner alone. She showed up out of nowhere, having tracked me down and invited herself to my table.” He paused, trailing his finger along her bottom lip, his gaze locked on it.
She snuck out her tongue to moisten it since it suddenly felt dry.
“She was telling me about her father who had recently retired. I’m cool with her parents still, and her father is a great guy.”
“Too bad his daughter—”
He pressed his finger to her lips again.
“Anyway, that was all. Nothing to it. As much as she wants to get back with me, I can’t.”
“Why?” she breathed. The desire to hear the words again was strong. She leaned into him, waiting to hear those three magical words.
“Because I’m in love with you and I’m willing to do whatever I must to get back in your good graces.”
Nasia stood up on her toes and brought his head down to hers. Their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. Nasia wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him place.
There was no other person she would rather be with. She was kidding herself if she thought she would be able to stay away from this man.
She tore her mouth from his. “Stan Larsen…” She stared up into his clear blue eyes, searching them. She saw nothing but a tortured man baring his soul to her. “Don’t you ever doubt me again. Do you hear me? I love you so much.”
“Baby, I won’t. I promise.” He brought her in close.
She rested her head against his chest, breathing in his scent that she’d missed so much.
“Okay, you two. All is forgiven.” Aleka chuckled. “Stan, it’s nice to finally meet you. If you want to be in my good graces, you’ll carry these groceries in, and I’ll cook both of you dinner.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Stan grinned at Aleka. He settled another kiss on Nasia’s lips and stepped back. “Let me get the bags before your sister scratches my eyes out.”
Nasia barked a laugh and moved out the way.
Today was looking up. Dinner, a movie, and spending time with her two favorite people meant this day was ending on a great note.
Epilogue
“Why are you awake?” Nasia grumbled. Her naked body was lying flush against his.
Stan stared down at his beautiful new wife. She opened an eye and glared at him. “Are you smiling? It’s too early to be grinning like that.”
He barked a laugh and kissed her cheek.
Their relationship continued in its whirlwind fashion. After he’d received her forgiveness, they had moved in with each other within a month. A week later, he’d popped the big question, and now here it was, two months later, and they were married.
He’d fallen in love with not only her but her family. Her father had given his blessing to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
“How can I sleep when I have the most beautiful woman in the world as my wife?” He picked up her hand to stare at her diamond bridal set on her ring finger. He kissed it and rested her hand on his chest.
“Sounds like you want something.” Nasia snorted.
He was quickly learning his wife was not a morning person while on vacation. They were on their honeymoon in the Bahamas at a private inclusive resort.
Their suite was fit for a royalty. The open doors near the bed led to a private oasis that included a soaking tub for two. The area was surrounded by privacy curtains and a small garden. Their spacious master bedroom housed a king-sized bed in an open-concept sitting area that had everything they needed, even a full bar. In the two days they had been there, they’d barely left the bed, their marriage officially consummated.
“Only you.” He dropped another kiss to her still swollen lips.
Stan couldn’t remember ever being so happy. Life was good. Victoria had finally got the message that he wasn’t coming back to her. Last he had heard, she had packed up and moved to Colorado Springs for a new job.
He stood from the bed and scooped Nasia up.
“Stan!” she shrieked.
Her arms came to rest around his neck as he walked toward the patio.
“What?” he asked, trying to appear innocent.
“What time is it?”
“Does it matter? We are on our honeymoon.” The scent of the gardens accosted him. He breathed in the beautiful scent and stepped down into the warm water.
Nasia had finally found the perfect person as her assistant manager. Sally was her name and had been a homemaker for years. Now her kids were all grown and out of the house, she was ready to return to the workforce. Nasia’s café was doing so well, she had added on a few more full-timers and was thinking of opening another café a town over.
He couldn’t be more proud of her.
He settled them into the water with Nasia straddling him. His cock took notice that his wife’s opening was near.
“You’re right,” Nasia murmured. She pressed a hard kiss to his lips. “This is the best way to wake up.”
“We’re about to make it even better.” He slipped his hand beneath the water’s surface and gripped the base of his cock, guiding the tip to her opening.
“Hmmm…I love you, Mr. Larsen.” Nasia moaned, impaling herself on his cock. She slid down until he was fully sheathed into her warmness.
“I love you, too, Mrs. Larsen.” He groaned, settled his hands on her ass, and held her in place. Her full breasts rested on his chest.
“I just can’t get enough of you,” she gasped. She lifted and slid back down on him. Her gaze met his and held it as they moved in sync with each other. “I’m so happy.”
“Good.”
Stan had made it his mission to please his wife. Never again would there be doubts in the back of his mind whether she loved him.
Together, they had built a strong relationship.
Nothing would ever come between them again.
The End
A Note From the Author
Dear reader,
I hope you enjoyed Stan a
nd Nasia’s story as much as I did. These two are amazing together and I’m so happy I got to tell their love story. This story flowed so well I wrote it in ten days!
Don’t forget to leave a review. Want more cowboys? Make sure you leave me a review saying this!
Love,
Peyton
Blazing Eagle Ranch novella
Knockin’ the Boots
She was his best friend’s sister and should have been off-limits.
Rashad Mays was a ranch hand on the Blazing Eagle Ranch. He had grown up in Shady Springs and had no intention of leaving. This was his home, and he was ready to settle down. Only the woman that captured his eye was the sister of his best friend, Nate.
There were unspoken rules between friends when it came to their little sisters--don’t touch.
Yani Polk was not like other women. She didn’t chase after cowboys for a casual roll in the hay. She was a lady. Sexy, curvy, successful, and currently the star of his late-night fantasies.
He’d thought he would be able to push her out of his mind, but when she came strolling onto the ranch, he couldn’t resist. Her smile and the gentle sway of her hips called to him.
The sizzling attraction was too great to resist. Rashad did the unthinkable. He broke the rules.
Yani was the woman for him, and he was willing to fight to prove it.
Want to read Knockin’ the Boots? Click HERE and download today!
About the Author
Peyton Banks is the alter ego of a city girl who is a romantic at heart. Her mornings consist of coffee and daydreaming up the next steamy romance book ideas. She loves spinning romantic tales of hot alpha males and the women they love. Make sure you check her out!
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