by Jess Bentley
“I want you, Meredith. Your mine now. I won’t let you go,” he rumbled through gritted teeth, holding back until he knew I was satisfied.
He slipped a hand between us and pressed his thumb against my sweet spot, circling quickly and increasing the pressure until I couldn’t hold back anymore. I cried out as I came, clutching him tightly and refusing to let go.
When his own orgasm crashed over him, I held on tighter, watching him intently. He’d never looked more gorgeous, but he also still looked every bit like the boy I’d loved my whole life.
“Come back with me,” Colt panted as he held me, smiling as he fought to catch his breath. I slid out from under him slightly to give him more room, and then stared at him for a lengthy pause.
“No, I’m serious. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to, just come back for a little while, get to know your home again. You and me, we’ll just spend some time together and let you get reacquainted with Texas.”
“I don’t know…” I answered, but deep down, I knew the heart of the problem, what if this passed for him? It’d taken many years and countless miles to finally let go of my home. Going back and spending time there—with Colt, of course—would just rip the old scab off.
“What have you got to lose?”
“What if you figure out that you’re just enjoying sticking it to your best friends sister. What if I can’t be that girl in your head? The one who is the perfect little housewife like our mamas were? I’m not that kind of girl. What if you end up hating me?”
“I know who you are. You are not the same girl and I’m not that boy. Lots of things have changed in both of us. And that means my ranch isn’t going to play out like my grandpa or my daddy. That’s fine with me. I don’t want that either. But there’s no reason it can’t be a whole new kind of wonderful for us.”
“Colt…”
“I won’t ever hate you. I won’t trap you into a life you can’t live,” he replied, shaking his head. “But I’ll make you a deal. You don’t want to stay, then I’ll fly you anywhere you want to go. Just please, Meredith, just come home for a while… and be with me.”
The look in his eyes was sincere. This was more than just a one-night stand, for him, too. He wasn’t just making the grand gesture just in case my brother found out. I hesitated, and then nodded.
“Fine. But I’m packing light,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. “I don’t know how long you’ll put up with me.”
“Honey, I’ll keep you as long as you want to be mine,” Colt kissed me softly.
Reluctantly, he rolled away and held out his hand, helping me to my feet. He looked around the small apartment as if appraising it, and looked back at me with a skeptical expression.
“What?” I demanded defensively. “I mean, so it’s not a sprawling, three-story Texas ranch house with stainless steel appliances and solar shingles and skylights and a wrap-around porch, but… well crap, now that I hear myself say it, yeah okay, this place is kind of a dump.”
“Hey now, it’s not a ‘dump,’ but it’s not exactly… roomy?” he said, scrambling for something complimentary to say.
“Well, it’s always just been more of a place to crash since I traveled so much. I never really tried to make it much of a home, I suppose.”
“It’s certainly livable. Let’s just go with ‘cozy’ and leave it at that? But speaking of leaving, we gotta get going.”
“What? We’re going now?” I asked, looking around in a near panic. “How am I supposed to pack anything on such short notice? I’ve got to leave word with my boss, I need to get the neighbors to water my plants—”
“Meredith,” Colt said softly, silencing me for a moment with a kiss. “It’ll be all right. Let’s get some things together. You can send an email to that old boss lady of yours. Heck, you can bring your plants on the plane—I own it! How many you got, we’ll pull ’em behind us in a wagon if we have to!”
He held both my hands in his until I finally relaxed, my shoulders unwinding as I laughed weakly. I stepped around the partition that was supposed to create the illusion of a bedroom, reached my suitcase out from under the bed, and flipped it open on the covers.
“Okay. What do I need to bring?”
We spent half an hour packing a few things, with Colt’s promise that there were indeed still stores in Texas if I’d forgotten anything. With each of us holding a bag and a plant—to be fair, they were plants I’d grown from seeds that I’d picked up in Uzbekistan, and I was pretty proud of them—we raced out the door to the sleek black town car that waited at the curb. Within minutes, we were pulling up beside a Lear jet idling on a tarmac at the nearby airfield.
“I don’t remember seeing this old thing out behind the house,” I joked, nudging Colt as we walked towards the rollup stairway.
“I’ve had to land this in a field once, and that was plenty of adventure for me. Besides, she’s prettier when she’s surrounded by a bunch of ugly old crop dusters at the airfield in town. Kinda like setting a racehorse in a paddock with a bunch of plow mules. Or like lining you up next to bunch of beauty queens at the county fair…there’s just no comparison.”
I blushed at his southern charm. It took all my strength not to argue with his assessment of what I thought were my rather plain-looking features, but I managed.
Once we took off, I settled back into the oversized leather seat and let it support my weary body. Colt, seated across from me in a matching chair, leaned forward and pressed a button on my armrest, and the chair slowly reclined for me. Once I was laid back and comfortable, he tugged on my ankle just lightly enough to slide me closer to him, taking off one of my shoes and then the other. Instead of falling asleep, I was wide-awake under his touch as he rubbed my feet with his large, warm hands.
His powerful hands worked all the knots and tension out of my feet before twining their way up my ankles. Colt slid my pants leg up higher to massage my calf, and it was both incredibly relaxing and super exciting at the same time. He placed one hand on the back of each of my legs, working the muscles in small circles until my eyes fell closed on their own.
With my eyes still closed, I reached for him, holding my hands out until I felt him come closer. I moved to the side of my chair and invited him next to me, fitting myself in his arms perfectly as he held me. Our kisses were slow at first, perfectly suited to the way we were cuddled up in the chair, but they grew in intensity the longer we lay there until finally his hands found the skin of my back where my shirt brushed over the top of my jeans.
He pushed the thin fabric up while his lips moved over my neck and down to my collarbone. I instinctively ran my hands through his hair, forcing myself not to grab handfuls of its luxurious silk when his lips pushed aside my collar and sucked at my shoulder. The cooler temperature at my back told me my shirt was nearly gone, and ducking my head out of it only left goosebumps on my arms.
“Really? Right here?” I asked, looking around. I'd seen a pilot and at least one other crewmember when we boarded, but the way Colt was holding my backside made me suddenly not care.
“It’s fine, I promise,” he answered a little too confidently. I wondered for a moment, but then lost myself in the thrill of possibly being caught.
I waited oh-so-patiently for Colt’s touch as he kissed a slow path down beneath my breasts. The agony of his painstakingly slow seduction was tantalizing, but I knew he would make it totally worth the wait.
I wasn’t wrong. After taking his time stripping my jeans, it was as if an animal instinct took over. He pushed aside the fabric of my panties and dove in, plunging straight into my center where my need for him was greatest.
“Oh god, Colt! Yes!” I cried, completely oblivious to anyone who might hear us.
He pushed straight to my center, kissing and licking at my slick folds until I thought I might scream. I raked my nails through his hair, holding him right where I wanted him.
Colt never stopped his wonderful assault with his tongue, even when he moved
his hands up to massage my breasts, pinching my nipples wonderfully at the same moment that I came against his mouth.
When I finally managed to come back down, Colt was smiling at me with a victorious look in his eye. He was proud of himself, and it showed. I returned his wicked grin when I held my hands out to him once again, pulling him to lay beside me.
Instead of staying in his arms, I shifted until he was beneath me, pinned by my legs on either side. He grabbed my hips and gripped them tightly, leaving me to imagine his red fingerprints in my flesh. I groped with his belt and zipper until I held his cock in my hands, guiding it to my entrance. His closed his eyes in satisfaction as I lowered myself down his shaft, slick with my wet arousal.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” Colt growled as he tightened his grip on my hips. I watched his face as I rode him harder, faster, excited by the control I had over him in this moment.
I could feel the rise in me again. It was so much I couldn’t bear to move anymore. He gripped my hips even tighter, holding me against him and pushing me back and forth. I arched my back and gave out a wonton scream. He kept his hands on me tight still pushing me over and over, drawing his orgasm out as he filled me with his burning heat.
Once he finished he loosened his hold and I melted down to him. Resting my head on his chest I listened to the sound of our hearts. I felt him gently tug and play with my hair as he too caught his breath.
“You’re the one for me, Mer,” he finally said lips pressed against the top of my head.
I looked up at him, fear and trepidation in my eyes. For how long? I wondered.
“Forever, baby,” he said, answering my unspoken question.
Chapter 13
Colt
“Honey, you've got to come out of there. I'm sure you like fine,” I pleaded through the bathroom door. “Come on, baby.”
“No! I look ridiculous! People are gonna laugh at me, if they don't run screaming first.”
“Mer, it can't be as bad as you're making it sound. You're gonna be the prettiest girl at the ball, I promise.” I leaned against the doorframe, still trying to move without tearing something in my stupid tux.
I heard the doorknob click and the door opened a crack. Her one eye peered out, but then she squinted it shut and slammed the door again. “Holy crap, you're so freaking hot! And I look like a dumpster fire in a formal gown!”
“Meredith, that's enough!” I stormed, grabbing the knob. “Either you come out or I’m coming in!”
I threw the door open and stepped into the bathroom, and then froze. Meredith was the most gorgeous woman I'd ever seen. Her red hair was swept back in a twist the left her curls cascading down the bare skin of her back, outlined by the low-cut edging of her black, crystal-encrusted gown. Her clear blue eyes were red-rimmed from crying, but were still mesmerizing outlined in their smoky eye shadow and long dark lashes.
Everything about her was perfect, but even her radiance couldn't keep my eyes off the countertop behind her. The empty package was turned on its side, the paper instructions and plastic wrap tossed aside. Resting on the edge of the sink, the white plastic stick sat waiting like a ticking time bomb.
“What the fuck is that that?” I said more accusingly then I had meant, still staring at the sink.
Meredith seemed to shrink a little, and didn't answer, just covered her mouth with her hand. I looked at it for an eternity, and then turned to look at her. Fresh tears formed in her eyes.
“Are you pregnant?” I asked softy.
“I... I think so,” she answered quietly, so softly I almost didn't hear her. I walked over and looked down at it for a long time, then turned to look back at her.
“You only think so? It’s got the damn words written on it. That means you’re pregnant, right?” I yelled, my thoughts jumbled with confusion and shock.
She uncovered her mouth to respond, but I didn’t wait. I pulled her into my arms and spun her around. I dropped her to the ground and planted a big fat kiss on her shocked face.
Meredith looked at me, a little confused. She gasped slightly to cover a hiccupping sob. “You're not upset?”
“Why in the world would I be mad?”
“Because of this,” she said, waving at the sink. “It’s too soon. I didn’t mean it…I wasn’t trying…” she continued to stumble.
“Mer,” I said tipping her chin to meet my eyes, “I told you, this is forever for me. I promise I’m happy.”
“Yeah?” She said with a sniff.
“Yeah. I’m almost the happiest man alive.”
“Almost?” she added, tearing up again.
I only smiled, but took her small hand in mine.
“Yup. Almost. There’s one more thing I need to do to make me absolutely ecstatic.”
I led her from the bathroom, looking back once to make sure she didn’t grab the doorframe on the way past and cling to it like a drowning man. Instead, she followed me to the bed, and then waited while I looked down at the comforter.
“What’s that?” Meredith asked hesitantly, eyeing the brown paper package.
“See for yourself, honey. It came today.” I beamed as she reached for the thin item, and then held it in her hands.
“Is this… is this the magazine?” she asked, looking up at me. She looked almost hopeful, and it was all I could do not to ruin the surprise. I nodded, gesturing for her to tear that wrapping off.
I waited while she gently slid a fingernail underneath the paper sleeve, pulling it back slowly and trying not to mar the pages underneath. I thought I might burst with pride when she gasped, staring down at the cover of her magazine, a photo she’d taken filling the front cover.
“You made it, darlin’! You’re a big time journalist with that old stuffy magazine now!” I said, leaning down to her sitting on the bed. “I knew you’d do it.”
Meredith didn’t answer, but just stared at the magazine and scanned its cover, taking in every detail. She watched it for so long that I wondered if she’d forgotten that I was even in the room, or that she’d just gotten the biggest shock of her life.
Finally, her left hand pinched the binding of the magazine and she frowned, noticing for the first time that something was off. She felt the front and back covers, trying to figure out the lump in the pages. It took her a few seconds of searching, but she finally found the knot in the middle of the pages, and flipped them open to reveal a three-carat diamond ring nestled in the center.
“What is this?” she asked, shock written all over her face. Before I answered her, I took her empty hand in mine.
“Meredith Forbes, I have loved you almost my entire life. The good Lord saw fit to bring you back after all these years, and I’d be honored if you’d agree to never leave me again. Will you marry me?”
She sat in stunned silence. Finally she shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks again. I vowed right then that I would do whatever it took to prevent any more tears from falling out of those brilliant blue eyes.
“Yes! I’ll marry you, Colt! But… you’re not just doing this because… because I’m pregnant?”
She watched me expectantly, and I knew that my next words could seal or break her heart for the rest of time.
“Darlin’.” I leaned close, resting my forehead against hers, and smiled. “I didn’t know about the baby until a minute and a half ago. Didja think your editor was the one who sent the ring?”
She laughed at her own silliness in spite of herself, the most wonderful sound I’d heard in years.
Suddenly, her self-conscious, fearful look returned.
“But what about Bryant? He’s gonna find out and my parents will find out, and then I’m gonna be a widow before I ever get to be a bride!”
“You think I didn’t tell him the minute you came back home with me. Last thing I need is your brother walking in when I have you bare-assed over my shoulder.”
She batted at me playfully. I grabbed her hand and pulled her up to stand tight against me.
>
“I s’pose you should put this on then,” I said, slipping the ring onto her finger.
“Now,” I said with a deep sigh looking her up and down, “You had me under the impression that you were quite a fright in there, and now looking at you…”
“Don’t you dare Colt,” she said already with a half smile to her lips. “You’ll get my hair all messed up, and we’ll be late, and everyone will look at my hair and know its sex hair, and…”
“I love it when you trail off with your cute excuses like it’s gonna get you somewhere,” I replied.
I walked her back and laid her out on the bed with no objection. I watched her fiddle with the edge of her dress while I removed the jacket and bowtie.
We wouldn’t have enough time to give our celebration the justice it deserved. I came down on top of her but she stopped me just before I entered her.
“Colt?” She said touching my face. She looked as if she needed to tell me something she hadn’t said enough. “I love you.”
I smiled down at her. She may have been my wild filly. But she was finally mine.
Epilogue
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” Diana asked, nearly on the verge of pleading. “Think about it, expense accounts, traveling the world, make your own hours… you’ve got to admit, it’s tempting, right?”
“Of course it’s tempting,” Meredith answered, “but I think I am going another direction right now.” She leaned back on the chaise—the same one where she’d spent that first night with Colt, she remembered with a sly smile—and sipped reluctantly at what had to be her hundredth glass of water of the day.
“Just promise you’ll think about it. I know, with the baby and all, you want to take it slow at first. But you might get bored and want to come back to the city life. I’ll be here, ready for that day.”