by Gigi Thorne
She gives me a grateful look and nods.
Getting up from the bed, I look at her to be sure she’s okay. She looks more than okay as she checks me out.
Her eyes roam over my chest as she bites her lush bottom lip. Soft pink colors her cheek when she notices the top button of my jeans is off. She licks her lips, and her gaze stays a little longer on the bulge in the front of my jeans. I may not be a pro at human hormones and reactions, but I know fear pumps adrenaline which wires up the body. Her fear has aroused things in me for sure.
I reach for her cheek, running my knuckles on the blush over her pale skin. Her lips part, her tongue peeks out to wet her lip. I trace the wetness over her mouth as we both watch each other like we’re in a trance. My dick probably has a permanent imprint of the texture of my jeans with all the pushing it does.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll have to show you a special hospitality to welcome you.”
Her pupils dilated, her breathing gets faster, and fuck me how much I want to kiss that shocked curiosity off her face. Leaning down, I nuzzle her neck and smell the girly scent that makes me hazy since the moment she stepped inside my place.
She lets out the most erotic, the most breathy moan I’ve ever heard.
Closing my eyes for a second to gather my willpower, I place a soft kiss under her ear and leave her practically naked behind me before doing anything wrong… like ripping that towel off her body and kissing the hell outta her.
6
Aubrey
He’s left me panting behind him. My body is now shaking with something different from fear. Something more carnal and intense. I’m throbbing between my legs and heat rises in my body. I sit still until the door opens again and Rhett smirks when he notices I’m exactly how he left me. He puts my bags next to the bed.
“I told Laine, the cook, to prepare dinner for us. Come down when you’re ready.”
I nod and look around nervously.
“You’re sure there isn’t that thing in this room, right? It can’t come in?” I feel stupid for being scared, but I can’t help it. I haven’t seen even a ladybug let alone a moth.
He looks me up and down lazily, with a smirk on his face. His former understanding is now lost behind his amusement.
“If you want to stay here, darlin,’ moths are the last thing you should worry about,” he says with a smirk.
I feel my eyes widen and he laughs at my expression before leaving the room with a wink. I don’t know whether he said that just to mess with me, but even if he did, I know there’s truth behind his words. I find myself checking my surroundings every five minutes. I curse myself under my breath for not being a more of a nature girl but growing up in a penthouse and choosing the social events that happens inside the four walls in college didn't introduce me with Mother Nature and all her children that wait to attack me.
After putting on another pencil skirt and a blouse, I walk out of my room, barefoot. Since this is a work trip, pencil skirts, blouses, and high heeled shoes are the only clothes I brought with me. I hadn't thought I'd be hitting a gym. So, I didn't even bring my sneakers.
I go down to the first floor, roaming around to find the kitchen. Just when I'm about to enter the first door I see, a girl comes out of it, almost knocking me down.
“Oh my, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?” she asks in a panic.
“Yes, I'm good,” I murmur, smiling at her reassuringly.
The girl is beautiful. Blonde hair, killer body, jeans short, shirt, and cowboy boots, she looks exactly how I imagine a cowgirl looks. How I would imagine Rhett Cooper's wife would look if I stopped eye fucking him or making a fool of myself and thought for a second. Of course, a guy like him would be taken.
I curse myself for glancing over this information. I've known the guy for a few hours, and I'm already feeling bad that he has a relationship.
“Mr. Cooper invited me for dinner. Where should I go?” I murmur.
“He's in here,” she points out the door she's just left. Of course.
I nod. “Thank you,” I say as I pass her.
When I enter the room, I see it's a big kitchen. It's almost bigger than the penthouse I live in.
The one side is a big kitchen, while the other side that is separated with a glass door, is the dining room.
I see Rhett right away. It's hard not to see someone like him: Tall, built like a wall, and oozing power. He's wearing a pair of faded jeans, boots and a flannel shirt unbuttoned, showing the t-shirt under it. I've never seen a guy like him. In my life, guys wear pristine shirts with shiny shoes. They wear polo shirts and designer jeans even at their most laid-back state. In my life, men look too proper and too well-groomed, almost making them look feminine. Maybe this is why Rhett Cooper has so much effect on my body. Maybe that's the reason for the sudden attraction toward him.
He's different. So rough, powerful, untamed. I don't know if it's a hormonal thing, but when I look at him, all I can think of is sex: Hard. Deep. Toe-curling, mind-blowing sex.
“I've been waiting for you, Aubrey,” he says, coming toward me.
I see him smirk when he notices my bare feet, but he doesn't comment on it while guiding me to the table.
My mouth waters when I see what's on my plate. Grilled chicken, fried potatoes, and grilled cheese. Also, there's a bowl of salad in front of me.
“Iced tea or beer?” he asks.
“Tea, please.”
I check him out a little more as he pours me a glass. Then, I shake my head. Remembering the cowgirl who is probably Mrs. Cooper.
“I'd like to hear your idea for the place, Mr. Cooper,” I say, reminding myself to keep it business and hopefully make up my lack of professionalism with all the fear I showed him.
“My parents left this place to my brother and I. As you know, Braxton loves his city life, so the ranch is my responsibility. I want this place to be alive, to do well. I want-"
“You want to make your parents proud,” I finish his words.
He looks at me with an expression I can't read and nods before saying, “Tell me about yourself, Aubrey.”
I swallow. My name on his lips sounds so good. That Southern drawl makes it sinfully sexy.
“Nothing interesting about me. I'm from New York City, born and raised there. I have a rather small but quickly improving design company. So, all my life is about work lately.”
“Any siblings? Your parents?”
“I'm an only child. My parents were both attorneys. Now, they're going around the world, enjoying their early retirement. The last time we talked, they were in Italy, doing wine tasting.” I smile at their newfound adventurous sides.
“You live alone?”
“Yes. Living in my parent's penthouse and working. Pretty boring life it would be if I didn't love my job, a lot.”
He nods, and we don't talk for a while, enjoying our food. Then, he breaks the silence again.
“You’re not fond of nature.” It’s an observation, but I still confirm it with my nod.
“I think I didn’t have time for it. All my life I was inside the four walls. I have to admit, being here would be both challenging and liberating for me.”
“So, you’re up for a challenge?” he asks with a smirk.
“I’m not promising not to be afraid, but I promise not to give up until I’ll give you something you’ll be happy with,” I say, and as soon as the words leave my mouth, his eyes get mischief, and he wiggles his eyebrows.
I laugh nervously, trying to cover the heat rising up my cheeks with my hair.
He must’ve decided to show mercy, he changes the topic. “I can show you around after finishing up with dinner if you'd like? You won’t see the whole glory of the place, but it’s good at night too.”
“Yes, please. Will Mrs. Cooper be joining us? I’d like to get her opinion on the ranch, too?”
He chokes on his beer, coughing. He catches his breath when I’m just about to consider using the Heimlich maneuver.
�
��Mrs. Cooper?” he asks.
“Did I assume wrong?” I try to hide the hope in my tone, but don’t know if I could muster.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I’m not married or in any kind of relationship, Aubrey. Whoever you see in this place is my employee, the people here help me to return this place to its good times,” he says slowly but with certainty.
I nod. “I’m sorry-” I start, but he interrupts me.
“Now that we cleared up my relationship status, would you like to have a walk?”
I bite my lip to stop myself smiling as I nod.
God, Aubrey. Stop. He’s not in a relationship, so what?
7
Rhett
We’re about to step outside when I remember her feet. Her face is pinched with worry and disgust as she probably encourages herself to walk out in barefoot.
Wrapping my arm around her waist, I stop her.
“Hey, on second thought maybe we should roam around in the morning. You’ve come a long way, you should get some rest,” I say, but the moment her body pressed against mine, I lose my train of thought again. “You should go to bed,” I add with a whisper.
“Okay,” she whispers back. Her body melts into mine, and I pull her tighter against me for a second before letting her go.
I clear my throat, as she hides behind her hair and we climb up the stairs in total silence.
“Where will you be staying?” she asks when we stop in front of my room which will be her room during her stay.
“In this room,” I point out the room meant to be hers.
She nods.
“The sheets were changed this morning,” I blurt out as we postpone going into the separate rooms.
“Okay. Thank you.”
Just before I enter my room, I look over my shoulder at her.
“Don’t forget to check under your bed for snakes,” I tease her and close the door.
I know I’m being a dick, but the horror on her face was too funny to ignore. And she doesn’t really think there’ll be snakes in the building, right? On the fucking third floor?
* * *
After I hear her door closed, I leave my room and head for the stables. My body feels like a ball of energy that I need to let out of my system.
I check the other horses. They’re sound asleep. After looking at Lily’s stall to see she's good, I walk toward Rage. Seeing him restless doesn't surprise me. He doesn't like sleep and can’t find peace before I let him run in the corral, under the stars.
I watch him run and let the steam out of his body as I sit on the fence. I’m as restless as he is, and I know what caused it, or rather who. Turning my head, I look at the main house. The light in her room is on. I wonder if I should at least tell her not to be afraid, instead of being a dick, after I’ve seen how scared she was over a moth.
I suddenly feel guilty and an urge to check in on her, but Rage comes where I am, and I get distracted by taking care of him. After brushing his coat and putting him back in his stall, I reload the hay waiting for each horse outside their stalls and head for the house.
I stop by the kitchen and grab a bottle of beer. I don’t know if I’m trying to forget her existence or just the fact she’ll be in my bed tonight, without me in it. I close my eyes, wondering if she sleeps naked. The beautiful curve of her ass is still vivid in my mind, and I didn’t forget how that same ass feels in my palm.
My dick twitches with the memory, and I groan. Gulping down the rest of the beer, I stand up and head for my room. As I pass Aubrey’s room, I see the light coming out from under the door. Even though I tell myself to keep walking, I can’t stop myself from knocking.
“Come in,” I hear her muffled voice.
When I open the door, I see she’s sitting on the bed with a fucking nightie, hugging one of the pillows to her chest. Her knees bent in front of her, and I can see the tension around her shoulders.
“Hey. I just wanted to check in on you. Do you need anything?”
Fuck, you sound like a pussy Rhett, I think to myself.
“There are 34 different species of snakes in Tennessee. And Google says there are 2 kinds of scorpions. Did you know that?” she says in a shaky voice.
I laugh. I know that’s a dick move, but God I can’t help it. I’ve never seen a woman who’s that scared to be on this ranch, but again, everyone I dated here was from here, not a fucking city.
“Aubrey, I grew up here and look, I’m still alive,” I say.
“So, you haven’t seen any snakes?” she asks in half hopeful half doubting voice.
Well… I have.
I sigh. “Would you feel,” I stop before continuing with what I have in mind. My brain and my body are at war. My mind says I shouldn’t say what I’m about to say, but my body is already thrumming with excitement.
“Would you feel safer if I stay in this room?”
There. I said it. The body has won.
Her eyes widen with my offer. A soft blush covers her cheeks slowly. I can see the fight in her. I hope her mind would win for my sanity. Sanity and the health of my balls, cause while she wears that fucking black nightie that shows more than it hides I’m sure I’ll have blue balls before dawn. Unless the night is pregnant with better things.
“Please,” she says in that breathy voice that seems like has the power to make me crazy.
Well, seems like her mind lost too.
With a sigh, I pull my t-shirt over my body.
“Make space for me,” I say.
“What?”
I frown. “Darling, if I’m stay here I’m not sleeping on the fucking floor. So, move over.”
She hesitates even though I catch the excitement under her hesitation.
“And you’d be safer in my arms anyway,” I add with a smirk.
Her gaze falls to my hands as I unbuckle my belt. Enjoying her eyes on me, I take my sweet time to unbutton my jeans. After taking off my jeans too, to her mortification, I should add, I challenge her. “Live a little, Princess.”
That sparks something in her eyes, and she moves to the other side of the bed. Chuckling, I get in under the covers.
As she turns her back to me, I chuckle at what she keeps repeating to herself.
“This is a bad idea.”
8
Aubrey
I'll combust.
That's how I'm feeling right now.
Before he came, I knew I wouldn't sleep because of my fear. No matter how silly it is and how many times I tell myself not to be stupid, I can't shake my fear. The moment I close my eyes I hear shuffling noises like a snake is under my bed or I hear the noise of small wings flying over my head.
I’ve never known I have fears, but tonight I realize I'm almost phobic.
After Rhett came in, I felt safer. It’s hard to be afraid when a guy like him is in the same room. When Rhett came in, fear was the least of my worries. Instead, I burned and throbbed. Every cell in my body wanted to jump him.
It’s been almost a year since I last had sex, but I’d never felt its toll on me as much as I did in the few hours spent with Rhett.
With my mind in overdrive, I keep huffing and moving. Rhett must get sick of that, he wraps his arm around my waist and easily pulls me to his chest. His hold is strong and tight, but even if it weren't I wouldn't be able to move a muscle. I'm too stunned to be enveloped in every hard inch of him.
He makes a humming sound as he gets comfortable with me in his arms, like this is such a normal thing for us and like we didn’t meet today.
A part of me wants to stay awake and push my ass into his crotch to live a little like he dared me to. The other part of me is warning me not to mix business with pleasure. As I lay in his arms, his breath tickling my neck, all I can think of is how it would be to have sex with him. He can make my body go crazy just by being in the same room with me, I can’t even imagine how he’d make me feel if we let go of all the barriers between us, if I feel his weight on me, if he slips inside me.
> Closing my eyes, I try to hold in a moan, but it comes out as a sigh of breath when Rhett presses his erection against my ass.
“Don’t, Princess,” he warns me.
“Don’t what?” I breathe out.
“Don’t think what I’m already thinking. What I’ve already fantasized dozens of times since you stumble into my arms,” he growls.
I moan and hide my face in the pillow.
He half chuckles, half groan. “Sleep, Princess. The sooner we sleep, the better we’ll behave.”
* * *
I don’t know if it’s the fear, the trip, or being in Rhett’s arms, but I sleep so much better than I have since I opened up my own firm.
When I open my eyes, I was expecting to see Rhett next to me, but the bed is empty. The only proof that he was here last night is the amazing scent of grass and wood, and, of course, the tension around my body.
I wonder where he is but pushing the disappointment away, I get out of the bed.
On the chair next to a wardrobe, I see some store bags. I probably wouldn't have notice them if there weren't my name written on the bags with capital letters.
Curious, I open the bags. In one there's a pair of cowboy boots. In the other bags, I find some cut off shorts, tank tops, and shirts. There's even a cowboy hat.
Feeling both grateful and amused, my face splits in two with a huge grin.
“Rhett Cooper, you're something else,” I murmur under my breath.
After taking a quick shower and finishing up my morning routine, I put on the cut off shorts and a white tank top. Wearing my cowboy boots, I frown with confusion. Everything is exactly my size. How could he know?
I bite my lip and force away the thoughts of him thinking about my body. That's the last thing I should be thinking about, especially with the memory of last night and how perfect being in his arms felt are still vivid in my mind.
Grabbing a notebook and a pen, I decided to go out and see the ranch. I should start working on my project. Sooner the better because God knows only work can shut up my mind and stop the lustful fantasies that show up unannounced.