“I have to admit, it’s not too damn bad,” I said, locking eyes on his. He stared at me, a grin spreading over his lips.
“I feel like that should be a compliment.” His smile widened.
“It should be.”
What can I say? Christy was the more bashful of the two of us, but honestly, I was a talented chef and knew a good meal when I ate one.
I took a second to give this guy a good up and down. He was cute. Like, really cute. Blonde hair cut short, brown eyes. A nice smile, too. He had a little bit of facial hair going on. I could dig it.
I gave him a smirk. “I’m Natasha.” I held my hand out to him. He shook my hand, giving me a once over.
“Jeff.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jeff. So, you’re the one who does all the cooking around here?”
“Yes. I’m happy to hear you don’t hate it. Then again, I haven’t met a girl I haven’t satisfied.”
My heart did a back flip. I had a very strong feeling he wasn’t talking about his food. Let me give it a shot, I thought. I would gladly see what he had to offer. Instead of making it obvious, because it was fun to tease, I pretended I didn’t catch on to what he really meant.
“Really? That’s impressive. Have you been cooking a long time?”
“Since I was 14 and started having to buck up. I had to cook for my brothers.” He said it with no hint of resentment; however, he did look away when he said the words. “What about you?” he asked, turning back to face me.
“Since I was 17 and I realized I needed to get my ass in gear. Mostly because my mom left my dad, and my dad had no clue what he was doing in the kitchen. I got sick of eating his crap food for dinner.”
I gave him a smile and a dry laugh.. By now it wasn’t something I was ashamed to talk about. I’d come a long way since then. I was proud of everything I’d done and all the ways I’d become a good cook in the past few years.
I shot a glance over to Christy. She was deep in conversation with Alex, and I could tell how much she was enjoying herself. It made me happy to see her smiling. There is no doubt she had been struggling a long time, which was one of the big reasons we’d come out here.
Jeff saw what I was looking at. “They look like they are having fun,” he said, lowering his voice.
“Yeah,” I agreed, watching to make sure they didn’t realize we were talking about them.
~~~~
“Thank you for walking me back to my room,” I said as we came to a stop in front of the door. I turned to look him up and down. I wasn’t naïve; I knew why he had walked me back to my room. “Would you like to come in?”
“I’d love to.”
I pushed open the door and we stepped inside. By now I was pretty sure there was no question why he was in my room, but I wanted to make myself clear. “I don’t have coffee or anything to offer you.”
“That’s okay. I don’t want coffee.”
I turned to face him. “Really? What do you want?”
Nothing.
He said nothing. His gaze locked on mine and he stepped toward me. I stared into those gorgeous brown eyes, not daring to look away. Are you going to have the balls to tell me? I thought. Yes, it was a bit of a test, and a bit of me making it clear I wanted him. More than anything, it was me trying to find out where this would go. I wondered. I wanted to know what kind of person he was.
“I’d like to kiss you,” he murmured. My heart tripped over itself. I loved that the man was honest. “If you’ll let me.”
“I would,” I said softly, my own lack of voice surprising me. He’d taken my breath away without me even realizing it. I guess he’s better than I gave him credit for, I thought as he stepped toward me, closing what little distance there was between us.
He reached out, his warm fingers gently brushing my cheek and tangling into my hair. Not pulling it though, thankfully. I hated having my hair pulled. He cradled my head and pulled me close, the space between us gone.
His lips were warm against mine. My pulse raced as I felt him against me. His free hand moved to the small of my back, pressing my body against his. I felt every inch of him. Arousal burned low in my belly as our kiss grew more passionate. My teeth grazed his lower lip, and he let out a deep breath, returning the graze.
I moaned.
Then it was all over. He pulled away from me.
I wanted to cry out. I wanted to protest, but I didn’t. I just stood there, staring at him, unable to do anything else. I took a deep breath. Breathe. Then talk. It was just a kiss; it shouldn’t have left you speechless.
I opened my mouth with every intention to say something, but nothing came out. Seems the kiss did leave me kind of stunned.
“I should ask right now,” Jeff said. “Do you have protection with you?”
Fuck. I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No.”
He held out his hand. “I’ve got some in my room.”
I wrapped his fingers with mine. “Let’s go then.”
We made our way to his room faster than I thought possible. There was no talking involved. There was no touching, except holding hands; otherwise I didn’t think we’d make it to the bedroom. The only reason we were going there was because we needed a condom. How could I have not brought any with me? It was stupid. I’d been wishing the whole time I could have a good hookup, so why didn’t I plan for it better? I’d brought my cute panties.
As it turns out, his room was on the other side of the rec building where we had dinner. It looked just like the rooms they rented out, except bigger.
“So … does everyone live in one of these?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said as he opened the door. “Don’t worry; they’re sound proof.” A wide grin took over his face. I laughed softly as I stepped into the room. He flicked on the light and I was left staring at his place.
There was a huge TV and a leather couch. Along with the TV were shelves of video games and a few accessories for the gaming system he had. Right off the living room was a smaller room, and I could see the bed.
I walked over to it and flicked the light switch on the wall. Holy shit. A large bed took up most of the room except for a few feet on the left where there was a closet and a bookshelf crammed with books. I padded over to the bed, Jeff beside me for some of the way, until he left to go over to the closet.
Sitting down on the bed, I reached out and touched it with my fingers, my skin standing out against the black sheet. Nice. The bedding was so soft. Is this silk? It felt like it. The bed was damn comfy, to be honest. It made me want to sleep, not have sex. I can do that after we fuck.
I turned to watch him stand in front of the closet. I eyed some of the things he had in there. Mostly it was jeans and black shirts, but I saw a couple “toys” that weren’t something you’d put in the living room. A smile appeared on my face. I could dig a guy who was into that. Then again, I was a huge fan of my own toys.
He grabbed a condom and came over to the bed, so I figured it was best to be up front about a couple of things.
“I should just put it out there, I like to be pinned down,” I said. “But if I want to move, I expect you to let me. I like touching myself, and if that’s an issue I think I should just head back to my room right now.”
Jeff look confused. “Why would that be an issue?”
I shrugged. “Some guys don’t like it.”
“It gets me off to see a woman please herself.”
His honesty turned me on. I grinned. “Is there anything you like?”
“You. On your knees.”
Lust simmered deep in my stomach. “Anything else?”
“Your legs.”
I swallowed dryly, licked my lips to restore some moisture to them, and nodded. I pushed myself up and then settled down on my hands and knees. I glanced over my shoulder at him. “How’s this?”
He stared at me and reached out, his warm fingers softly brushing my inner thigh. A shiver ran down my spine.
“Perfect,” he murmured.
I watched as he pulled his shirt over his head. Oh God. I inhaled deeply as I stared at his perfect chest. I wanted to move so I could touch it. Just so I could be sure it was real. My eyes trailed down to where his hands were undoing his pants. He stood and let his jeans fall to the ground, shoving his boxers down with them, and climbed back onto the bed.
His hard cock stuck out.
It was all I could stare at. Lust grew inside my belly, no longer simmering. I watched as he slid the condom over his cock and settled down behind me. His hands traced over my body softly, heat from his skin sending shivers from my head to my toes.
He moved toward me, his cock pressing against me as his eyes locked on mine. He thrust into me gently. I gasped, my nails digging into the silk bedding that felt so good against my knees. A moan passed through my lips.
“Oh God, yes.”
Jeff pulled out and thrust back into me, his pace quickening as he grabbed my hips, pushing my skirt up just a little. His free hand still rested on my leg, his fingers pressing into my skin. I moaned louder as his pace quickened. Faster. Faster. Harder. Harder.
He grabbed my hair gently, his fingers tangling into my messy bun as his lips touched my neck.
I moaned louder and louder as he drove into me, filling me with every inch before pulling away, so close to slipping out.
“Harder,” I cried.
Jeff obliged, thrusting into me forcefully, his fingers digging into my hip. I moaned louder.
I reached between my legs with my free hand, my face resting against the soft fabric of the sheets. “I’m so fucking close.” I gasped for breath as he filled me and I touched myself.
Jeff thrust into me faster and faster. His fingers tightened against me, pulling my hair softly. “Come with me,” he rasped.
He slammed into me.
His words were enough to send me over the edge. I saw stars and let out a loud cry. Jeff slammed into me again and again as chills of pleasure surged through my body. Wave after wave. His hands loosened and detangled from my hair as another pulse of pleasure surged through me. And another. The last so soft I could hardly feel it.
I fell, slumping down onto the bed as I turned to look at the man who had just fucked me. He stood and disposed of the condom.
“If it’s all right with you, I was going to stay here,” I said. I’d rather not have to get up and go outside now. I was comfy.
“Stay as long as you like. I get up early most mornings for work, but you can stay longer.”
“Thanks.” I smiled as he came back to bed and settled down beside me. He pulled me into his arms and held me tight. His lips softly touched my cheek.
Jeff
Normally, if girls wanted to stay, I’d let them. But honestly, this time I wanted her to ask to stay. I was wondering if she was going to or if I was going to have ask her.
I pulled her close to me and closed my eyes. What was it about her? It doesn’t even make sense. This wasn’t the first time I’ve hooked up with a girl, but there was more … I liked her for her personality. Fear set in and I froze. I’d been so happy, but now here I was freaking the fuck out because I remembered this was something that only happened to me one other time. And it hadn’t ended well.
If I pull away now, she’ll think something is wrong with her. I didn’t want her to think that, but I didn’t know if I was going to be able to keep lying here.
I cleared my throat and slid away. “So, why did you come out to the ranch?” Maybe if I started a conversation, she wouldn’t feel like she had done something wrong.
“We needed to get away from shit. Why did you come out here?”
“I needed to get away from shit too and decided to move the fuck out here so it didn’t follow me.”
She smiled. “Did it work?”
“Yes.” In a way it had worked, but it also brought about more issues than I ever could have imagined. Issues even my worst nightmares couldn’t compete with. I decided to leave that part out.
I stared at the girl in front of me. She looked happy, but tired. I’m glad I tired her out. I hadn’t expected her to actually join me back in my bedroom once I realized I didn’t have a condom on me, but I was glad she did. I took her hand and our fingers tangled together. I wonder if she came out here to fuck a cowboy. Most girls did. Some wouldn’t admit it, others didn’t mind being honest about it. I liked it best when they were honest. “I should just put it out there, I like to be pinned down. But if I want to move, I expect you to let me. I like touching myself, and if that’s an issue I think I should just head back to my room right now.”
Just thinking about her words was enough to get my blood flowing back to my cock. Not sure I could manage it again.
Most women who came here only needed a good quickie. Most of them lacked foreplay or even sex at home, and that was why they came out here.
“Are you single?”
“Yes.” She spat the word, clearly offended I asked.
My cheeks flushed. “Sorry. Just … a lot of the women who come here … aren’t.”
I realized right then and there I’d given it away. I slept with the women who vacationed at the ranch. I felt my cheeks burn as I looked away from her. Please don’t ask.
“Oh. Well, I’m not one of those girls. Are you in a relationship?” she challenged.
“No.”
The look on her face made me pretty sure she believed me, and for that I was thankful. I didn’t want to get into the past relationship talk, and most of all I didn’t want to bring it on myself. I knew I wasn’t going to be good at facing the conversation. Which is why it is best kept private.
Natasha
I rolled over, squinting. I knew I should get up and leave. I knew I should get out of his place before he had to ask. I understood hookup etiquette. I sighed and forced my eyes open, pulled the blankets back, and sat up.
Fingers curled around my wrist, and he pulled me back down beside him. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me close. “Not so fast,” he murmured, holding me tight.
My heart skipped a beat. I have to admit, it was really nice to cuddle with him. Don’t go getting attached, I reminded myself, taking a deep breath. The breath was a bad idea. Breathing, good; deep breathing when you can get a good smell of him, bad. Not because he smelt bad, but because it made me feel good.
It made me happy to be in his arms.
The reason I understood hookup etiquette so well was because I had sworn off relationships for a reason, and right now I saw the warning signs of feelings. Feelings were bad news. Still, I was stupid and didn’t move. I knew I should, but I didn’t.
Instead, I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the fact I knew it wasn’t going to end well. I’m just here for a couple days, not enough time to get emotionally attached. One of the major reasons I was out here was to relax. I wanted to enjoy myself and one of the best ways I knew how to do that was with a hot man in my bed. So I didn’t move, and I loved every second of not moving. His warm body against mine made my tension disappear.
“Are you going to do anything special with your friend today?” Jeff asked.
I shrugged. “I think we were going to go see what that little town is like.”
I felt him stiffen.
What’s going on there? I wondered. I bit my lip. Should I ask him about it or should I just let him be? I’m not turning over any stones I don’t need to turn over. I wasn’t dealing with bullshit someone else could deal with. After all, this wasn’t going to turn into a relationship. Maybe I should clear that up. I chewed my lower lip softly. I didn’t think I needed to. I mean, he wasn’t crazy enough to think we’d end up dating, was he?
Of course not.
I relaxed further into his arms and just enjoyed being there. It had been a long time. On the plus side, my biggest goal for this trip had been accomplished within 24 hours. I grinned and reached out for his hand, my fingers tangling into his.
“Then are you going to be free tonight?” Jeff asked. “I’d
like to see you again.”
My heart dropped to my toes. I knew those lines and I wasn’t sure I liked them.
“Yeah, I’m free,” I said without thinking about it. I wanted to see him again, and I wanted him to make an effort to see me. I mean, it was only a couple days. It shouldn’t hurt. I hope.
Jeff
I grabbed the bag of feed and slung it over my shoulder without much effort. After years of doing it, the weight had become normal.
Unlike normal, I was feeling excited about tonight. I normally didn’t ask to see the girls again. I usually only needed one night with them, but with Natasha I needed more. Okay, needed was a strong word, but I really, really wanted to spend time with her again. Maybe I’ll do something special for dinner, I thought.
I stopped mid-step on my way to the stables. Wait. Wasn’t this getting out of hand? I mean, sure, I wanted to see her again and that was fine, but I knew she was only going to be here a couple more days. She was a nice girl, but there was no reason to impress her. I’d already done that, and quite frankly I’d never gone out of my way to impress a girl. I didn’t need to.
I mentally shook my head and headed toward the stall where I needed to drop off the feed. It’s stupid to think it could be anything more than hot sex. And the sex was hot. Maybe that was why I wanted to see her again.
“You weren’t around last night.”
I turned to Ken. He was the baby of us three. A smirk spread over his lips. “I’m guessing both of the girls who just arrived are already off limits.”
“I don’t know about the one, but Natasha is.”
“I guess I won’t go after her, then,” he teased.
We made a deal a long time ago that we wouldn’t go after a girl once one of the guys had already slept with her. It made things less complicated and, even though we had all become used to this sort of stuff, it made sure there was never any jealously involved. It was up to the girl to pick the one she wanted and then that was that. No hard feelings for the guys. It was how we kept things sane between us.
The Billionaire's Fake Marriage: A Single Dad Next Door Romance Page 28