We fly with the wind, chasing God knows what, running from God knows who. The bike vibrates under me, and I can feel the heat on my leg, coming from the engine. Bryce controls it easily, going fast, but not fast enough to freak me out. The rough fabric of his jumpsuit rubs against my palms, and I wish I didn’t have this helmet on so I could breathe him in.
Being out here like this, I’ve gotten to see a different man.
Bryce Grant is many things, and I’ve loved getting to witness them all…well, except the fighter. That shit worries me. Bryce has a short fuse for certain things, and I’m one of those.
We still argue, and sometimes he makes me so mad I scream bloody murder, but then we make up and holy shit. Lamps get knocked over, and couch cushions fall to the floor. He removes the breath from my lungs and scars my body in the best way.
Out here, I’ve gotten to see the man deep inside. Past the business owner, the city boy, and sharp dresser. Here, he’s just a man who grew up on a ranch.
Out here, he’s just Bryce.
Bryce slows the bike. We come to a stop, and he uses his foot to kick the stand. The grass is long and yellow-brown regardless of the winter. I step off, stretching my legs before removing Jace’s helmet. Bryce’s helmet goes, too, revealing his disheveled hair.
He’s grown it out, and I love running my hands through it. He unzips his riding suit. “Come here,” he demands, causing my stomach to flutter.
I lick my lips, my eyes roaming down his body. He still sits on the bike, the top of his suit at his waist showing off a black T-shirt. I walk over to him and he lifts me quickly, putting me on his lap. The bike moves a little, but it seems to be stable.
I gasp when I feel how hard he is.
“You turn me on so much,” he says, his voice sexier than I ever remember. “Do you like riding?” His eyes move down to my lips.
“I like riding lots of things.” I bite my smile.
He grins, his blues jumping up to my eyes. “Prove it.”
I look around us, making sure we’re completely alone.
“No one’s out here, K. It’s just you and me.”
You and me. Those words coming from his mouth. God, they wrap around my soul. Doing things to my body that only he can.
Bryce is love.
“Okay,” I say, sliding off the bike. I grab the button on my jeans and undo it. My zipper goes next. His eyes watch as I slide my pants over my hips. The crisp air hits my sensitive skin as I step out of my jeans.
Bryce cusses and hops off the bike.
“I don’t think it can handle the weight. I ain’t going slow.”
“Good,” I say as he drops to the ground in front of me. He looks up before grabbing my ass and pulling me to his face. Moving my panties to the side, he licks me. His warm tongue has my knees buckling.
He holds me tight as I bend and grab strands of his hair. My eyes shut, and I lean my head back.
The world spins slowly, blond grass mixing with blue sky. I moan when he slides a finger inside me.
“Bryce,” I say helplessly.
He doesn’t stop, bringing me to orgasm before lying back on the grass. He pulls himself out of his suit. I look down at my guy. His black shirt rides up when he clasps his hands behind his head, revealing a trail of dark hair.
“Now’s your chance,” he says. “Show me how you like to ride the things I own.”
My heart blushes. I climb over him, resting my knees on the sleeves of his riding suit.
My hair cages us in. I look at his lips before kissing them, teasing with my tongue and pulling his bottom lip with my teeth. I reach down and grasp him in my hand. Slowly I sink, but he flexes up, causing me to gasp. My hands go to his chest, feeling the strong rhythm of his beating heart against my palm.
And I do exactly what I was told until we’re both breathing hard and slippery with cold sweat. We’re riding high on a special kind of love.
Fuck, if I ever want to come down.
I shudder at the sweet memory I have of us in that meadow. Picking up a small piece of grass, I rub my fingers over the blade. After we left the ranch, it was nearly Christmas.
Bryce and I didn’t make any changes with our living arrangements. He didn’t ask me to move in, and I didn’t say I wanted to. Things were going well the way they were.
Claire and I spent Christmas morning together. We had an enormous tree and strung lights all over the apartment. It was just two best friends in pajamas, enjoying hot cocoa and laughs, knowing deep inside it would be our last Christmas together alone.
The guys joined us not too long after, and we enjoyed ham and homemade mac and cheese that Claire cooked. Life’s been good, man. It’s been really good.
“There you are.”
I look back over my shoulder as Bryce walks closer and sits down behind me. He pulls me so my back is flush against his hard chest. Arms I love wrap around me, and kisses I need sprinkle over the side of my neck. I breathe in his warm, spicy scent and take comfort in his closeness. “What are you doing out here?” he asks.
“Just thinking.”
“About?” he murmurs, resting his chin on my bare shoulder.
“Nothing really,” I respond.
We sit quietly for a few minutes before he gets up and walks around until he is standing in front of me. I lean my head back and look up at him. His hands slid into his pockets; his hair is ruffled from running his hand through it.
Just because his hair isn’t buzzed anymore doesn’t mean his habit of running his hand over his head is gone. It makes him look sexy and causes my chest to warm.
“Dance with me,” he commands.
I smile and stand, wiping the back of my dress off. I hear The Rolling Stones singing about wild horses, and Bryce gently takes my hand.
He leans down to my ear and sings the words softly to me. I close my eyes, and everything disappears but him. His smell is my favorite, his voice soothes me, and his touch melts my heart.
He runs his hand down my back and circles his thumb across my palm. A tear slips from my eye, and he kisses it away. His lips graze my neck, sending chills across my skin. He lightly nibbles my ear with his teeth before he continues to sing sweet words about wild horses not being able to drag him away.
And I say a silent prayer that nothing will ever drag Bryce away.
My hand travels up his tatted arm and skims over skin that makes my fingers tingle. As I look up at him, he searches my eyes before his blues gaze down at my lips.
He finds my eyes again, and the left side of his mouth turns up. He leans down, and I lean up on the tips of my toes. Our lips touch, and a fire spreads across my entire body.
He gives me everything as he kisses me, but this is nothing new. Bryce always gives me everything.
I will never tire of the way he loves me. It’s complete, and I feel it in everything he does. It’s deep in my soul. His love for me swims through my veins and settles inside my heart.
I reach my hand up and run it across the back of his neck. He pulls me closer as his lips continue to love and cherish me. I break away and try to take in air. He presses his forehead against mine and closes his eyes.
“I love you, Kathrine. I always will.”
“Me, too.”
His hands roam down to my dress, and he pulls it up. Bryce lifts me, and his fingers grip onto my thighs. I move a little and feel him hit me right where I want. I grind into him, not even caring that his family is in the background. We aren’t that far away.
He digs into my skin and licks my tongue.
I imagine we’re alone and I’m completely naked in his arms. I fantasize he’s sliding in and out of me, and I grow so wet I can hardly stand it.
He lets go of me and I slide down his body, breathing hard and throbbing between my thighs. He lets out a pained breath and shudders.
“Fuck, what you do to me. Let’s go before I fuck you in this pasture.”
I sigh, disappointed and needing to rectify my ache, but I fix my dress a
s he adjusts himself. His hand reaches out for mine, and I take it.
“Later,” he promises.
We walk back to the reception, and Lou yells for me to get over there and catch the bouquet. I stand, smiling with Claire as Emily yells, “One, two, three!” before she tosses the bouquet behind her. I reach up and just miss it before it lands in Claire’s hands.
“Well, looks like you’re next,” I joke a little later as we walk over to say goodbye to the newlyweds.
She looks over at Austin. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing.”
I laugh and grab a bottle of bubbles. Emily and Lee walk out of the house, and we all yell and cheer as we blow bubbles into the air.
Just Married is written all over Lee’s truck. He is a very wealthy man, but he likes the simple things in life, like an old Ford, porch rockers, and a good cigar.
I watch as they drive away while Emily waves out the window. Claire grabs my hand, and I turn to smile at her as the black truck disappears with old love and new beginnings.
____________
“The day was perfect,” I say to Bryce as we head to his barn.
“Yeah, it was,” he says. His vest has been removed, and his sleeves are rolled up. His tie hangs loosely around his tan kiss-me neck. We pull up, and he gets out and walks around to open my door. The moon is shining brightly above the trees, and you can see every star in the sky. I get out and look up for a minute.
“You can’t see this in the city.”
“No, you can’t,” he agrees and leans against his car to look up, too.
The stars twinkle and wink down at us. These stars have been around for years, with millions of different people looking up at them. It’s surreal to think about. All the wishes from little children, all the hopes and prayers from people needing a little something more.
I look over at Bryce when I feel him staring at me. He gives me a small smile, and I remember a time when he hardly smiled at all.
Do I really make him that happy? The moonlight is so bright I can see every outline of his features. His eyes glow, his jaw is tight and chiseled, and his nose is straight and perfect. His dark beard has grown, and it’s thick around his beautiful face. He has gotten a few more tattoos on his forearm, and his muscles flex as he moves his hands inside his pockets. He looks badass cool.
“Move in with me,” his rough voice says. My heart drops to my stomach.
I look back up to the night sky, telling myself to remember this moment—the way he looks right now, the stars, the moon, and my heartbeat as it picks up from his intense stare.
My pulse quickens on my neck, and my fingers slightly tremble as his words run through me. He straightens up and walks closer to me. Dark blues look to my eyes and search. “What are you thinking?” he asks.
“About you, me, and the stars.”
He grins and leans down to kiss me. His lips touch my needy ones, and I open them as his tongue slips through and tangles with mine. He gently licks and sucks, pulling my bottom lip with his teeth.
Big hands drift down my body, and he lifts me. I wrap my legs around his waist and cross my ankles around his back. He walks us over to the hood of his ’69 Mustang and lays me down, pulling away from our kiss and looking down at me. “I love you, K. More than anything or anyone. Move in with me.”
“Okay,” I respond.
He smiles and pulls a little box out of his pocket. I tilt my head, wondering what it could be.
He hands it to me.
I open it to find a set of keys. With it is a dirt bike keychain.
“I’ve been wanting to give you that for a while,” he says. “Your home is with me now, K and this will unlock every door I own.”
I swallow and clasp the keys in my hand before grabbing his tie and pulling him to my lips.
Our kiss is earth-shattering, like we need each other to breathe.
We take off our clothes and let our hands roam. He enters me, and I sigh as he loves me in the moonlight under a blanket of stars.
I’ll remember this forever.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bryce
I wake with my head lying on Kat’s stomach. We’re both naked and spent from the wedding yesterday, and then staying up half the night talking and making love didn’t help any.
I peel myself from her and sit on the edge of the bed, running my hands over my head before looking back at her sleeping. Popping my neck, I stand up and stretch my arms out before walking to the bathroom. I pass by the dresser that supports the keys I gave her last night.
My grin can’t be helped. I’ve wanted her to move in with me for months, but I know I needed to give her a little time to spend with Claire after everything they’ve been through and with Claire being pregnant.
Those girls are like sisters. I didn’t want to come between anything. They needed each other. But all that’s over now. Claire has Austin, and Kat has me.
I put the key box in my pocket when I got dressed yesterday. I knew I was going to ask her again. I just had to find the right time.
When she gazed up at the stars last night, I knew it was the perfect moment. She’d surprised me yet again by saying yes. I really thought I was going to have to beg.
Damn, I’m glad I didn’t.
I splash cold water onto my face and brush my teeth. Walking out, I grab a clean pair of briefs before sliding on some jeans. Making my way down the loft ladder, I pad into the kitchen as the sunlight beams down from the glass ceiling.
My loft has a separate ceiling built over it, so the sun isn’t shining down on you when you sleep. I start the coffee and flip the TV on to catch up on the news and stocks.
Moments later, K comes down with her hair pulled back and a content smile.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey. Sleep okay?”
“Like a baby,” she replies, walking over to the coffee pot. She pours herself a cup and takes a satisfying sip.
“What are the plans today?” she asks.
I shrug. “We can head back to the city if you want. Get your things from your apartment and move you in with me.”
“In a hurry?” she asks.
I smirk. “Kat, you have no idea.”
She laughs, walking over to me and placing her cup onto the table. I grab her and pull her onto my lap. She’s warm from just waking up. Her face is makeup-free, and her eyes are bright.
“I love the dirt bike keychain,” she says, running her hand over my beard.
“Good. I’d hoped you would.”
“It reminds me of that day in the meadow.” She blushes.
“Every time I get on my bike, I think about that day in the meadow. I ride with a hard-on the whole time. You’ve ruined me.”
She exhales. “Sorry, not sorry.”
I smack her ass as someone knocks on the door. “Who’s bothering us?” I say as Kat removes her body from mine.
“Don’t answer it like that,” she says as I pull open the door and do exactly what she tells me not to.
“Sorry,” I mutter to Michelle. “Thought you were my annoying family.”
“Bryce.” Kat scowls at me. I smirk and go back to the couch. I’m shirtless still, but I’m not rectifying that for Michelle’s benefit. She’s interrupting my morning time with Kat.
“Hey, sorry to intrude. Jace said you all were still out here, so, Kat, I was wondering if you’d like to go swimming with me?”
Kat looks over at me, and while I want to tell Michelle to get lost, I don’t. Kat needs girl time, and my brother seems to really like this chick. It’s not a bad idea for them to get to know each other.
I shrug. “Up to you.”
Kat smiles, knowing there’s a battle going on inside of me. Bad Bryce is throwing Michelle out on her ass and lifting Kat’s nightgown above her hips before bending her over. Good Bryce is kissing his girl on the forehead and sending her on her way with sunscreen and a fluffy towel.
I fucking hate Good Bryce. He’s a pussy bitch.
I
pick up the remote from the coffee table and skim through channels like I give a shit.
“Okay,” Kat says. “I did bring my bathing suit. I’ll meet you at the pool.”
The pool here is by the main house, but far enough back that you can have privacy while swimming. There’s a pool house, of course, and the sun shines on it for hours.
Kat will be darker when she gets done, and I’m cool with that. It’ll only make her hotter than she already is.
“Sounds good. I’ll be waiting. Lou’s at the house. She made lemonade, said we can take some with us to the pool.”
Kat grins. “Cool, but I’ll probably have a beer.”
“We’ve got that, too,” Michelle says. “See you in a bit.”
She shuts the door, and Kat heads for the ladder. “It’s not too early for a beer, is it?” she asks, making her way up.
I look at the clock that reads eleven-thirty. I smirk. “Nope.”
“That’s what I thought,” she replies, liking my answer. I laugh. Damn, I’m going to miss her. What the hell am I going to do with myself?
Guess I can go riding, and when she’s done, we can fuck like rabbits and then head home to pack her shit.
Kat is moving in with me.
Fucking finally.
Chapter Thirty
Kathrine
Springtime sunshine warms my skin after I lie down on the lounge chair. I rode over on the golf cart that Bryce always has at his house.
Is it my house, too, now? Or is the apartment in the city the only one that’s mine?
That’s a stupid thing to think.
None of his houses are mine. He owns them. I’ll just be living there. I don’t like that thought. Independence is something I’ve always worked hard for, but as I bring the cool beer to my lips and Michelle climbs out of the pool, I tell myself that right now I’m not going to think about rules and the right way of things.
I’m going to enjoy the sun and get to know this girl that Jace has fallen for.
“So, where did you grow up?” I ask as she grabs the towel beside her chair and dries her reddish-brown hair.
Give Me Perfect Love (Give Me Series Book 2) Page 20