by Hawke Oakley
“Go away,” I spat.
“Aaron.”
“No!” I cried. “I can’t stand the thought of – of you – ”
I couldn’t continue because I started hiccupping, then flat out sobbing. I was shaking and weak and crying too hard to protest when he crawled over me and took me in his arms, holding me firmly against his chest. The soft motions of him petting my hair were still soothing, despite everything going on.
“Let go,” I muttered, wet and muffled against his shirt.
“No,” he said. “Not until you calm down and listen to me.”
I blubbered some more and soaked his shirt. He was probably tired of me getting snot and tears all over his clothes by this point. When the worst of the wracking sobs were over, he pulled back and looked me in the eyes. He brushed the damp hair out of my forehead and wiped the tears still trailing down my cheeks.
“God, you’re a mess,” he murmured.
I tried to glare at him, but it probably didn’t come across as pissed off as intended. He kissed me just below the eye, probably tasting the salt from my tears.
“Gross,” I muttered.
“No,” he said softly. “Nothing about you is gross.”
I groaned. “Stop saying cute gay shit when I’m frustrated with you.”
“Sorry,” he said, not sounding sorry at all. “By the way, you’re not entirely correct.”
Right after he said that he moved his lips down to my mouth and they were so soft and inviting that I couldn’t help but kiss him back.
“What do you mean?” I mumbled.
“It’s not my parents,” he said. As if to torture me, he paused to kiss me again, this time poking his tongue between my lips and kissing me deeply when I let him inside. I let out a muffled moan despite myself.
When he pulled away, my mind was hazy with pleasure. It took the edge off my anxiety, at least. Cunning asshole.
“What is it, then?” I asked breathlessly. I took his face in my hands. “Please, Riley.”
“I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
But before I could throw another fit, he crushed his mouth to mine forcefully, sending me sprawling backwards onto the bed as he leapt on top of me. He ground his hips into mine and I moaned into his mouth. I couldn’t help but get instantly aroused. When he took control, it was like a whole other level of sexiness.
The moment he took his mouth off mine and I could gasp for air, I asked, “Why?”
It became a game. One moment to speak, and then it was gone, swallowed up by desire as our bodies grinded together, friction building and heat coursing through our veins. I had completely forgotten how upset I was earlier. Now all that mattered was Riley’s lips on my mouth, his hands roaming up my bare skin, the bulge in his jeans frotting against mine.
“Fuck,” I whined. “Riley…”
His lips, soft and wet and dominating, pressed against mine. “What is it, baby?” he growled.
I groaned and bucked my hips. I loved it when he called me that, loved when his voice got all husky from arousal.
“Please tell me,” I asked, although it was sounding less of a demand and more of a weak begging request. I was breathless from lust and making out. It was almost funny how easily I melted under his mouth and hands. I didn’t have a damn chance.
“Can’t, babe,” he muttered against my lips.
“Why?” I whimpered. He reached up and pinched one of my nipples, making me half-squeak and half-moan. I flushed fiercely in embarrassment.
“You really wanna know?” he asked, taking my lower lip in between his teeth and gently biting it.
“I do. Please.”
He pressed his mouth to my jawline, then trailed to my neck where he licked and kissed and bit and left marks all over my skin, claiming me as his own. I whined and arched against him.
“You’re so,” I said, panting. “Unfair.”
“I’m not fair?” he purred in my ear. “But I’m making you feel so good.”
I dry sobbed in frustration. “You are.”
He laughed softly, his warm breath ghosting across my neck.
“I’ll tell you why,” he murmured before gently nipping the shell of my ear.
“Please,” I mumbled.
I heard his low, rough breathing in my ear as he reached down to graze his palm against my cock. I jolted and moaned, bucking my hips up, desperately needing more of his touch.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cried, gripping the sheets. He was barely doing anything but for some reason it felt so fucking good. “Please, I’m gonna cum.”
“Maybe that’s what I want,” he purred.
“God, fuck – ”
In some magical movement of his hands, he reached past my jeans, into my briefs, and grabbed hold of my painfully hard cock. I cried out, my toes curling. He was still leaving wet bites along my neck and kissing them once the bruises began to flower.
“Cum for me, baby,” he said.
“I will,” I whimpered. “I will, I will – ”
He curled his hand around my cock and stroked me. With his free hand he reached over to gently squeeze my other nipple, and his mouth was busy leaving a huge hickey in the soft skin between my neck and shoulder. When I came, I saw flashes of white, then practically screamed as I ejaculated. Riley kept stroking me throughout my orgasm, milking me for all I was worth.
When the aftershocks of pleasure finally passed I collapsed, feeling like a fucking ragdoll.
“Fuck off,” I muttered, and Riley laughed.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked.
“Don't baby me. You did that on purpose.”
“Maybe,” he said. “But you loved it.”
“I did,” I admitted through gritted teeth.
“Fuck, you’re so sexy when you lay there covered in your own cum and complain at me,” he said.
“God, shut up,” I muttered, half-heartedly shoving him away.
“Oh, by the way,” he said. I lazily watched as he sprawled out next to me, then took my chin in his hand, turning my face towards his. “I’m not going to tell you.”
I furrowed my brows, but I was too tired and spent to actually be pissed off anymore. “Why?” I mumbled.
He kissed me softly again before whispering in my ear, “It’s a secret.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
I woke up in the morning to an empty room. I groaned and stiffly made my way to the bathroom, thinking Riley would be there if he wasn’t in my room, but it was empty. The entire top floor was vacant. I couldn’t hear any murmuring downstairs from the breakfast table like I usually did, either. Maybe they’d all gone out to grab drive-thru breakfast and would be back soon.
I groggily headed downstairs and after a quick tour of the house, realized no one was home at all. No text about where anyone was, no note on the fridge. Just empty.
“Weird,” I mumbled to myself.
I peeked through the window and saw one car was missing, but Molly’s was still there. They must have gone out like I thought – but why wouldn’t they invite me? I would’ve easily woken up if they told me we were all going out for breakfast.
There was one place I hadn’t checked yet. I shoved on my boots and coat and trudged to the barn. It was possible just my family went out, and Riley was feeding the cat – his cat, I remembered. We usually did it together, and then fooled around in the barn a little before returning to the house. Maybe he just wanted some alone time with her this morning.
I hauled myself up the ramp. The warm scent of hay filled my nose, comforting and nostalgic. I called out for Riley’s cat and made kissy noises until she poked her sleepy head out from behind a corner bale. She looked cranky that I’d woken her up. She still had water, but I didn't see or smell any cat food – that meant Riley hadn’t come to feed her yet.
“Sorry,” I said to her, shirking away and letting her go back to bed.
My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.
Molly: Where are you?
Aaron: in the
barn
Aaron: where the hell is everyone
She didn’t reply as fast as I’d hoped and I ended up scowling at the screen.
Aaron: helloooo
Then I got a notification from Riley. I opened my conversation with him.
<3 Riley <3: hey baby
Aaron: are u with my fam?
<3 Riley <3: ya
<3 Riley <3: meet me in ur room, k?
“What?” I muttered out loud to myself.
Aaron: ok
Rolling my eyes, I shoved my phone back in my pocket. Where the hell had he gone so early with my family and why did it apparently make him so horny that he needed me to meet him in my room?
I brushed the loose dust off my coat as I went back to the house. Maybe Riley wanted me to lay in bed half-naked with rose petals strewn across my body, like a princess waiting for his knight. Or something.
I stomped up the stairs and flopped back into bed. It was a weird fucking morning.
Soon I heard the gravelly rumble of the car pulling into the driveway. Multiple people seemed to get out, judging by the amount of boots shuffling, but they were speaking too quietly for me to tell who was who.
I closed my eyes. I still felt tired and I could easily fall back asleep if Riley didn’t execute whatever he was planning soon. The front door opened and the house filled with the ruckus of voices, but soon they stopped and seemed to vanish. All but one. Footsteps were coming up the stairs.
When I felt a strong presence in the doorframe, I peeked my eyes open.
“Hey,” Riley said. His face was slightly flushed and he was sweating, like he’d been doing heavy lifting or something.
“Hey,” I said warily. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” He came across the room, took my hands in his, and pulled me upright into his arms in a tight hug.
“What are you planning? I don’t trust you,” I muttered playfully in his ear.
“Good,” he said with a laugh. “You shouldn’t trust me. I’m always up to no good.”
“I know you’re not,” I said. “You’re a little demon sometimes. What is it now?”
He kissed me. “You’ll see soon enough,” he murmured. “Just let me play with you a little first…”
“Uh uh.” I put my hand on his chest and gently pushed him away. “What are you plotting? You can’t hide it from me this time by getting me rock hard.”
“Oh?” he said, amused. “You’re already rock hard, huh?”
“Shut up,” I muttered. “I can’t help it. I practically get horny every time you even look at me.”
He chuckled and snaked his hand down my side to grasp my hip, pulling it forward. “Maybe I should give you a quickie before what happens next.”
“Tempting offer, but I’ll pass,” I said. “Just tell me whatever the hell it is so I stop dying of anxiety.”
“Don’t be anxious,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Fine, then. Come on.”
He took my hand and intertwined his fingers in mine. His palms were a little clammy. Now I was even more curious what the hell he was so excited over.
The car was parked in the driveway, and empty now. I heard my family’s voices coming from somewhere behind the house.
“Where are they?” I asked. “Did you all go out somewhere or something? You could’ve woken me up, too, you know.”
“Nah,” Riley said playfully. “Didn’t want you there.”
“Hey!” I bristled and shoved him. “Why not? I’m your boyfriend, dickface, you’re always supposed to want me around.”
He grabbed me by the shoulders and pressed a surprise kiss to my lips. I shuddered and let him languidly run his tongue along mine for a few moments before we broke apart.
“Not fair,” I muttered. “You’re doing that thing where you kiss me to shut me up again.”
“Maybe.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw a white vehicle I didn’t recognize parked behind far behind the house. I narrowed my eyes, trying to decipher the text on its side but it was too distant. Riley suddenly looped his arms under my shoulders and picked me off the ground.
“Hey!” I kicked out half-heartedly. “Put me down!”
“Nope. You keep trying to peek, and I already told you it’s a secret,” he said, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck.
“Okay, okay, fine, I’ll close my eyes even, just put me down!”
My feet touched the ground a moment later and Riley took my hand. “Close ‘em, then.”
I did, with a pout and an exasperated sigh. “You better be taking me to like, a Whole Day of Sex With You Extravaganza or something.”
He chuckled as he gently lead me along. “Prepare to be disappointed, then. Although I’m sure arrangements can be made to that another time.”
“Better be.” I sighed. “It feels like you’re taking me to the barn – oh! Did the kittens come?”
“You’re not peeking, are you?” he asked.
“No, but I wish I was.”
“Just wait a little longer, baby.”
I let out an exasperated grunt. How could I resist when he called me that?
Finally I heard the barn door’s hinges creak, and the soft whoosh of air that followed. The scent of hay wafted around me, along with another faintly familiar smell that tickled my nose. I sighed, getting more impatient by the second.
“Still not peeking,” I said, throwing my hands in the air.
I heard chuckling – Mom and Dad. Why were they in here too?
“I’m surprised you managed to get him all the way here with his eyes closed,” Molly said.
“Me too,” I said. “Now can I finally open them? Please?”
Riley pressed his lips to my cheek. “Yes, baby. Go ahead.”
When I opened my eyes, it felt like someone had punched me in the chest, in the best way possible. I stood there with my jaw gaping.
There, in the center of the barn in the cross-ties, was a horse.
I took a hesitant step closer. It stood magnificently, dark chestnut coat shining in the early morning sun. A light brown forelock fell over its snout, and white socks adorned the front hoof it was using to paw at the floor with.
My heart stopped when I realized it wasn't just any horse.
“No way,” I whispered.
I stumbled closer, holding out my hand for her to smell my palm. The soft fuzzy flesh of her nose brushed against my skin, then she began nibbling the side of my hand playfully. I caught the warm glance of her deep brown eye and completely lost it.
“Bucky,” I gasped, my voice cracking.
I burst out crying and threw my arms around her neck. I inhaled her familiar nostalgic scent and buried my face in her fur. I felt like crybaby again, but I couldn't hold back the tears as I sobbed into her. I was completely overwhelmed.
“I can’t believe this,” I whimpered into her neck. “How are you, girl? You look so good, even after all this time.” I couldn’t help but let out a blubbering laugh as I stroked her.
“Well, this definitely makes up for the crappy Christmas gift we were going to get him,” Mom said.
“Oh, definitely,” Dad said. “This blows socks out of the water.”
I turned towards them, wiping my face. My arms were still thrown around Bucky. “You guys… how did you…?”
“It wasn’t us,” Molly said, shaking her head. “Although we had to play along with the whole scheme – and it wasn’t easy when you’re such a damn worrywart.”
“It wasn’t you?” I asked. “Then…?”
Everyone turned to Riley, who blushed under all the attention. My eyes widened.
“Riley, you… you didn’t,” I whimpered, still having trouble believing this was all real. “Did you?”
He nodded sheepishly. My heart burst. I half-pulled, half-dragged him towards me so I could embrace him and Bucky at the same time. This time it was his turn to be cried on. For what seemed like the hundredth time, I sobbed into his shirt, but this time it was from happiness.
I clutched him desperately tight.
“Thank you,” I whimpered. “Thank you so much.”
He brushed back my hair and kissed my forehead. “Don't worry about it. Seeing you this happy is worth it.”
After I’d gotten the worst of my sobs out – and Molly handed me a tissue to wipe my snot and tears on – I managed to ask, “Did you all know?”
“We did,” she said. “That's why Riley was acting all suspicious earlier. I can’t believe you were dumb enough to think he was actually doing something bad behind your back.”
“I’m sorry,” I whined, squeezing Riley’s hand. “I’m so stupid. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
He chuckled into my hair. “It’s okay, babe. I knew I was beating around the bush, but I just couldn’t ruin the surprise.”
“He arranged the whole thing with us,” Mom said. “Had to get up bright ‘n early to go out and pick her up with the trailer.”
“How did you even find her after all these years?” I asked. I clutched Bucky’s mane gently. This still didn’t feel real and I had to make sure she wouldn’t disappear.
“I had to do some digging. Well, a lot of digging,” Riley admitted. “I emailed a bunch of people and called around, and I had to ask your family for pictures and info.”
“Craziest thing,” Mom said. “She ended up a few dozen miles away on a horse riding camp farm. She was apparently good with the kids, and got easier on the bucking with age.” She patted Bucky on the side. “Ain’t that right, old girl?”
Dad was shaking his head. “You know, the greedy bastards saw how interested Riley was in her and overcharged him. Nearly doubled the price she was worth. No offense, Buck.”
Bucky, being a horse, took none.
“Riley,” I said, brows furrowing in sympathy. “You didn’t have to…”
He nodded sternly. “I did.”
I started half-laughing and half-crying again. “You idiot. I love you.”
I gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, too happy to be self-conscious about my whole face being wet from tears and covered in horse hair.
Suddenly a felt something pressing into my back. Bucky was nosing me with her snout. “You jealous, girl?” I asked, petting her forehead. She snorted. “Well, you better get used to it, because he’s my boyfriend. Sorry.”