by Claire Adams
I looked up in time to see Emma take her first bite of brisket. I held my breath, lifting my eyebrows.
She made an approving noise deep in her throat, her eyes rolling back in her head a little. “That’s so good!”
I relaxed a little more. I’d made brisket a few times before, but never for her.
“What did you get up to yesterday after work?” I asked. I felt a little stupid for how I’d acted the day before. The possibility of having to choose between Emma and Lacey still troubled me a great deal, but I couldn’t let it ruin how well things were going between us. I’d kicked my own ass up and down the farm for letting her leave last night without saying goodbye to her.
“I went over to my daddy’s for dinner,” she replied, lifting her green eyes from her loaded plate so she could meet my steady gaze.
“You seem pretty close to him.”
She nodded. “I try to see him as much as I can. Kasey was there, too, which was nice. We’re so damned different in so many ways; it’s hard to believe we came from the same two people.” She took another large bite of brisket.
“I grew up wishing I had a few siblings to run around with. I got Lacey, I guess, but you know what I mean.”
She laughed, the color rising into her cheeks. “You’d say that until they start annoying the hell out of you.” She set her fork down and considered me seriously, seeming on the brink of saying something really important. “I feel kind of sad for my daddy sometimes. After my mama died, he got stuck with raising two girls. We were both so young, but he made it work.”
“That must have been hard,” I said.
She shrugged. “He didn’t make it seem that way. He taught me how to ride a horse and why there’s so much value in putting in a hard day’s work. I’ve never seen the man sit idle in his life. Even Kasey, who can’t stand working outside and getting sweaty, knows the value of a dollar and takes pride in an honest day’s labor. Daddy’d be more than happy working on a farm until the day he dies.” She grinned. “I get that from him, too.”
Shit, we had that much in common. I’d always found something magical in sweating hard and working on your own property. People who didn’t know that luxury had no idea what they were missing. Sunshine and sweat could cure damned near everything.
“I feel bad sometimes,” she said, her smile long gone and emerald eyes serious. “He worked so hard to make things okay for me and for Kasey that he never thought about his own happiness. I know he misses Mama every day. He used to say he could see her living inside us. I’ve seen the pictures. We look just like her.”
She didn’t quite look said, just thoughtful. I liked when she let the door to the safe creep open, sharing this sweet, vulnerable side of her. It was happening more often the longer we were around each other.
“My daddy was the same way,” I said in a low voice. “He never remarried after my mama died. He used to joke that you only get one soulmate. After that, you’re just wasting your time.”
“My daddy would agree with that,” she replied, lips curving into a small smile. “He never came right out and told me, but I know he can’t see himself with another woman. Believe me, plenty tried, but he just kept to himself.
“In a selfish way, I’m glad he did. That left so much time for the three of us to be together. But now that I’m grown, I worry about him getting older alone.”
I didn’t know how to answer that. My cheeks burned a little with shame. I’d never even considered things from my daddy’s point of view. I’d been so wrapped up in how much I missed Mama. But I hadn’t gotten the time with him as an adult. I wondered if Emma knew how lucky she was to still have him in her life.
“Speaking of Daddy,” she said, light eyes shining in a mischievous way I hadn’t seen before. “What would you think of meeting him?”
I sat back in my chair, too stunned to speak. My mouth dropped open, but no sound came out.
“He really wants to meet you.” She laughed as she considered the look on my face. “He won’t bite, Pete. And, as nervous as you feel, it’s not half as nervous as I am. I’ve never brought a guy home before.”
“You aren’t helping,” I said, grinning nervously. We’d finished our food by then, which was good because I didn’t know if I could eat another bite after this sudden twist in our relationship. I hadn’t met very many girls’ fathers. I had no idea how to act or what to say. But I could see from the high shine in Emma’s eyes that this meant a lot to her.
“I think I might know how to help,” she said, swallowing her smile.
I lifted my eyebrows. “Yeah?”
She nodded as she stood from the table. While I watched, she pulled the tank top over her head and dropped it onto her empty seat at the table. She lifted her dark eyebrows, her pretty mouth pressing into a sexy smile. That grin alone was enough to get me rock hard where I sat at the table. She reached behind her back with both hands, unhooking her pale pink bra. It fell to the floor, freeing her pert breasts capped with light pink nipples. She had just enough for two handfuls. Any more would be a damned waste.
Before I could say a word, she turned and strode off down the hall in the direction of the bedroom, shaking that pretty behind.
I jumped up and followed her, pulling open the belt on my jeans as I ran to the bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Emma
Saturday
I didn’t have to wait long for Pete. I sat patiently on the bed, my shorts on the floor next to my feet, reclining back on my hands, wearing just my panties. I’d meant to keep my bra on, too — this set was new, and I wanted him to enjoy it for a minute before he took it off — but I’d been drunk on the desire on his face and wanted to make him burn even hotter watching me.
I heard the sound of a chair sliding across the floor in the kitchen, followed by Pete’s heavy, running footsteps. He came hurrying down the hall, his open belt dangling as he unzipped his pants. He kicked his shoes off, not taking his eyes off of me. It thrilled me to see how excited he got at the sight of me. And, I loved to see him out of his clothes, too, his smooth, sun-kissed muscles, the hair on his chest bleached golden brown. I’d never felt that with anyone else, that deep well of need.
While I watched, an amused smile on my face that I hoped was sexy, too, he stripped off his jeans and shirt. He stood in front of me for a few long seconds, just watching, his chest rising and falling with his short breaths, dressed in a pair of boxers, his hard cock sticking straight out.
“You forgot a piece of clothing,” I said.
Without a word, he slid out of his boxers, freeing that long, thick cock that I found so delicious to look at. I bit my bottom lip, mesmerized by it for a few seconds, the need stirring between my legs, a gush of wetness soaking into my panties.
“You forgot some clothing, too,” Pete said, his voice a deep rumble between us. His hand dropped to close over his cock, moving it back and forth as he watched me.
I stood, slipped off my panties slowly, and sat back down again, keeping my knees demurely together, ladylike — except for the fact I was naked as the day I was born.
He came to me slowly, his hand moving over himself with such a steady rhythm I found it difficult to meet his eyes. He was so beautiful standing there in front of me. I wanted to remember him just this way, tucking the memory where I could find it when I desperately needed it later. I didn’t want to think about losing him, not now, but it had happened to both of our daddys, hadn’t it? Big Tom was right. You had to hold on to the good things when you were lucky enough to find them.
“You’re so beautiful,” Pete whispered, sinking onto the bed next to me.
He drew me into a kiss, one hand curling around the back of my neck to guide me closer, while the other closed over my breast, kneading hungrily. His tongue pressing into my mouth stoked the heat between my legs. I wanted him more now than I ever had over the last few weeks. I pulled him down on top of me, opening my legs so he could fit his hips neatly inside them, the head o
f his cock pressing into the throbbing, wet center of all that heat.
I ran my hands down his muscular back, loving the feel of him even as he denied me what I wanted most at that moment: to have him press inside me in a flurry of blissful pleasure, his deep thrusts bringing me to climax.
He scooted back a little, his mouth dropping onto one my erect nipples and sucking hard. I arched my back into him, moaning. I took him by his thick, soft hair, closing my fists over it. He moved to the other nipple, kissing it before he closed his lips around it and sucked with gentle, loving force. I cried out a little at the pressure of his teeth nibbling, the pleasure rushing through me.
“I want you inside me,” I whispered, and he nibbled my nipple harder. Gasping, I tilted my hips, trying to entice him with my pulsing hot sex. I was so wet for him, so ready.
He brought his lips to mine, kissing hard, our tongues deep in each other’s mouths. I wanted to devour every inch of him. I wanted him to sink himself into me as deep as he would go.
He took himself in hand and rubbed the tip of his cock between my legs, pressing through my lips to feel the wet heat just outside of my shivering entrance. I opened my knees, not wanting to give him a reason to stop.
“Mmm, Emma,” he moaned. “You’re soaking wet.”
He entered me slowly, teasingly, his cock going in halfway before coming out again.
I moaned at the denial. “Go all the way,” I whispered. The heat had risen to my cheeks. I was flushed and shivering. That itch between my legs was so close to being satisfied by the feeling of him filling me up. I’d never burned so hot for anyone.
He bucked his hips, burying himself into me up to the hilt. I shrieked with the ecstasy exploding inside me, hot as my desire for him. Every thrust stoked that heat, and the blissful pressure built inside me, that need for sweet release. A moan rumbled in Pete’s throat as he pushed inside me, and I cried out again with the climax that squeezed my entire body like a vice, the tingling prickling over my skin as the blood rushed to my face.
I ran my hands down his back to take hold of his muscular ass, trying to pull him inside of me as deeply as he would go. I tilted my hips, wanting every inch of him, that delicious itch inside me almost satisfied. He groaned behind clenched teeth, his muscles rigid, his hips bucking sharply into mine, and his cock buried. He shuddered, drawing a gasp from me, the straining muscles shivering beneath my hands.
We relaxed together, our bodies slick with sweat, the air steamy in the room, the scent of our lovemaking settling over us, so sweet in my nostrils, as we caught our breath. I loved the smell of him, of us together, and the way my heartbeat slowed the more my shivering muscles relaxed.
Pete slid to lie on his side on the bed, keeping one arm draped over me. I sighed, letting my eyes drift shut. I didn’t want to fall asleep here — I needed to get some things done back at my house tonight — but I was happy to be next to him. He kissed the side of my face with moist lips, and I couldn’t help my smile.
“You never answered me before,” I said, keeping my voice low. I liked this quiet time after we’d been together.
“What do you mean?” he whispered, directly into my ear.
“Meeting Daddy tomorrow night.”
He hesitated, his nose nuzzling my cheek. “I haven’t met a girl’s parents in a long time. I’m willing, as long as you don’t mind how rusty I am.”
I laughed, still a little breathless from our roll in the hay. “You can’t be that bad.” I turned my head to face him, our noses pressed together. “He’s been the most important person in my life since I was born.”
“Oh, I’m damn sure gonna be there. If it made you happy, I’d walk from here to Dallas, barefoot.”
“You don’t have to do all that,” I said, giggling. “This will make me happier than I’ve been in a long time.”
“Well, making you happy is almost as good as the fun we just had.” He kissed my nose while I laughed again. “Almost.”
I leaned to kiss him on the mouth, still giggling.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Pete
Sunday
I was putting the finishing touches on my outfit when I heard Emma coming in the house.
“I’m in the bathroom!” I called out.
She appeared behind me in the mirror, grinning. “Are you wearing a tie, Pete Gains?”
I turned away from the mirror, trying to smile, too. I hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. I really liked this girl. I didn’t want to fuck things up by getting off on the wrong foot with her father. I knew how much of a daddy’s girl she was. If I fell out of the saddle tonight, I might not get another chance to get back on the horse.
She looked me up and down, from the tips of my nicest boots to my khaki pants — I hadn’t worn them in years, and they were a little tight — to the dressiest shirt I owned topped off with my only necktie. She laughed, but her green eyes were kind.
“The first thing you need to do is get that tie off.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I tugged it off my neck and threw it on the back of the toilet, happy to never put another one on as long as I lived.
“Daddy’s not gonna be dressed up,” she said. “And, you can see what I’m wearing.” She had on a sundress and sandals, her long hair loose down her back. “You’re not gonna be able to relax if you aren’t comfortable. Go put on something else.”
I went to my room to do just what she’d asked, keeping the nicer boots, but trading the uncomfortable khakis and dress shirt for a pair of jeans and a button up shirt I might wear to ride in. Her daddy had horses and a good chunk of his own property. He probably didn’t expect me to show up in my Sunday best. That relaxed me a little, but I still didn’t know how I was ever going to settle down enough to eat. My stomach had been in knots since Emma’d brought up this dinner.
She looked me over again, this time nodding once to show she approved. “You look great, Pete. Much more natural.” She stepped closer and lifted up onto the tips of her toes to plant a kiss on my mouth. “Let’s get on. Daddy’s got the grill going already.”
We walked out to her car. I’d never ridden in it before. Damn, it was tiny. I felt like I had to fold my legs in half to fit inside of it. I reached under my seat, pulled up on the lever, and slid it back as far as it would go.
She turned us around and headed out to the main country road.
“Should I be worried about today?” I asked.
She shrugged a bare shoulder. “I’m not the one to ask. I’ve never done this before.”
“Damn, I’d think you’d at least have some advice for me.”
She glanced over at me briefly, displaying her warm grin, before putting her eyes back on the road. “You’ll be just fine. Daddy’s a sweet man.” Her grin deepened, those emerald eyes flashing with a light I didn’t quite care for. “At least, he is to me.”
We pulled up to her Daddy’s property, and I had a second to look around before she parked the car and we got out. I could see lots of rolling, grassy land and a barn set back a few hundred feet from the main house.
She turned to me, taking my hand and squeezing. “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Kasey’ll probably do most of the talking, anyway.” She leaned to give me another quick kiss, then she was gone, opening her car door and getting out.
Reluctantly, I followed her. We walked up to the porch together, not holding hands. It might’ve been some time since I’d met a girl’s parents, but that didn’t mean I was stupid. I knew better than to keep putting my hands on Emma with her daddy around, not even an innocent arm around her shoulders. I wasn’t about to do anything that got me led out of the house by the barrel of a loaded shotgun.
As soon as we hit the porch, the front door flew open. Kasey was there to greet us, grinning excitedly, her green eyes blazing and hair loose and bouncy around her shoulders. She was wearing a dress, too, but it was a fair bit shorter than Emma’s was.
“Oh my God, I’m so glad you’re here!” she crie
d, and jumped into my arms for a hug.
I looked over at Emma, who shrugged, a small smile lighting up her face.
Kasey bounced out of my arms and then hugged her sister. “Daddy’s out back.” She took Emma by the hand and dragged her into the house, leaving me to follow along after them. Kasey chattered the whole way through the house, but I couldn’t concentrate on a single word of it. I was swallowing back the sick trying to rise up from my stomach, my mind racing through all the things I shouldn’t bring up, what Emma and I had done last night in my bedroom the first item on the list.
The more I thought about it, the more certain I became that it was only a matter of time before I said something stupid. Emma looked over her shoulder at me once before we reached the back of the house, Kasey chattering away, and gave me a reassuring smile that I couldn’t return.
We walked outside into the last of the sunshine. We had some daylight left, but the sun was dropping out of the sky in a hurry. Mr. Flowers was standing with his back to us, standing over a charcoal grill. I could smell the barbecuing meat the minute I stepped out of the house.
“He’s here, Daddy!” Kasey cried, letting go of Emma. She ran to join her daddy at the grill, bouncing across the back lawn on the balls of her bare feet, her light hair flying in every direction.
Emma took me by the arm, leading me the way she would her prom date. “Relax,” she whispered. “He won’t bite.”
Mr. Flowers set his tongs down and turned from the grill to face us. He didn’t look much older than sixty, with a tanned, weathered face, light blue eyes, and a nose that looked like Emma’s, only bigger. He looked ready to jump right onto the back of a horse, in jeans, boots, a button up shirt that looked a lot like the one I had on, and a worn cowboy hat.
“Daddy, this is Pete Gains,” Emma said, her hands sliding away from my arm. “Pete, this is my daddy, John Flowers.”