by Sable Hunter
“Green Pastures, I think you’ll like it.” He knew it would be hard to impress a woman of her caliber – one who had everything, had been everywhere – but he was going to try.
“Oh, my goodness,” Desiree breathed as she saw the elegant Victorian mansion with peacocks strolling out front. “This is fabulous!”
Tanner smiled, feeling relieved. “I hope the rest of the night doesn’t disappoint.”
“It won’t.” She was with Tanner, nothing more was required to make her happy. At Green Pastures, they dined on tempura lobster, flatiron steak and New Orleans bread pudding. The service and the food was impeccable. Tanner felt a little underdressed wearing his black Western jacket and pressed black jeans – but what the hell - this was Austin.
As they ate, he feasted his eyes on her. Someone had already asked for an autograph and a few had snapped photos with their camera. While he wasn’t used to the attention, Desiree took it in stride. Seeing her as a celebrity was slightly intimidating. She carried off the task with grace and aplomb. No wonder she was a big star.
When they’d finished their meal, he escorted her back to his truck. “I guess I should’ve rented a car or hired a limousine.”
“Are you kidding?” Desiree patted his faithful blue King Ranch. “I love your truck. Don’t you know pick-up trucks are a staple in country music?”
“At least let me make it easier.” When she started to climb in, he whisked her up and set her in the seat, fastening her seatbelt.
“Thank you.” As she waited for him to come around and get behind the wheel, Desiree felt her phone vibrate. She chose to ignore it. Whatever her manager wanted, it could wait.
Their next stop was 6th street. Once Desiree’s feet touched the familiar, almost sacred ground, she took a deep breath. “Home.”
“This was where it all started.” Tanner paid their parking fee and offered her his arm. “I thought we’d make the rounds, have a few drinks, take a whirl around the dance floor.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Just as he figured, in the first club they entered, Desiree was immediately recognized and urged to sing. As much as he’d rather have kept her to himself, he knew she needed to find out if she could perform comfortably again. So when she’d stepped up on the stage, took the microphone in hand, he sat back and watched with pride as her extraordinary voice enchanted everyone listening. After she’d given three encores, she begged off and amidst envious glances, Tanner took her in his arms to dance.
“You were amazing as always.” He held her as delicately as he would a fragile flower. His every instinct was to clasp her to him and never let her go. But he knew, as with anything else, love had to be given freely. All he could do was offer his heart and life to her and see if she would accept. “Desiree…”
“Excuse me, may I cut in?”
An intrusive male voice interrupted his romantic moment. Tanner had been about to tell the guy where to get off when Desiree recognized him, calling him by name. “James Cochran! How are you?”
“I’m shocked to see you. Why didn’t you tell me you were in town?” The leather clad man was middle-aged, but it was obvious by his youth oriented dress that he considered himself to be a trend setter.
“I’m here on vacation.” She turned to draw Tanner closer. “I’m staying at my friend, Tanner Barron’s, Lost Pines Ranch.”
Tanner shook the proffered hand, but he didn’t think Cochran spared him more than a glance.
“Hey, I have a proposition for you if you ever decide to move home.”
“What’s that?” Desiree asked quizzically.
Okay, now he had Tanner’s attention. “Why don’t we sit down?” He gestured toward the table, interested to hear what the man was proposing. Holding out Desiree’s chair, he motioned for a waitress to bring drinks.
“We’re planning on opening a new club here in town. I think Austin is ready for its own version of the Grand Ole Opry. We’ll have members who’ll be regular performers and provide a studio for recordings. I’m hoping to start a new label and I’d love for you to be the face of Yellow Rose Records.”
Tanner felt his heart beat faster. This sounded perfect to him.
Desiree was a professional. She listened, but didn’t react. In relation to what she’d been considering, this opportunity seemed like manna from heaven. “How about if I get my manger to call you? She knew Randy would have a cow if he even thought she was considering making somewhere other than Nashville her home base. “I’d like to see some numbers on paper.”
Cochran held up his hands. “Absolutely. I’m hoping to partner with Austin City Limits. Focus on bringing people to Austin instead of artists having to rely on staying on the road all of the time.”
Desiree liked that idea. “Yea, touring gets old.”
James winked at her. “Yea, let’s leave touring to the young folks. When you get to be our age, we need to conserve our energy and put it to good use instead of jetting all over the world and wearing ourselves out.”
Even though Tanner thought what Cochran was offering seemed like an answer to his prayers, he bristled at the man’s mention of Desiree’s age. “There isn’t a woman alive who can compare to Desiree Holt.”
Tanner’s compliment on the heels of James’ unintentional jibe made her blush. She hastened to change the subject. “How’s your wife, James?”
“Oh, we divorced.” The record mogul shrugged his shoulders. “I’m remarried.” He winked. “She’s twenty years my junior. Va-va-voom!” He made a rude gesture and Tanner had to hold on to the chair to keep from punching the guy.
“Congratulations,” Desiree muttered. “I’m sure she’s lovely.” His attitude reminded her of her fathers’ and it made her angry.
“Cochran!” About that time, another man came up and began talking to James. Tanner saw that Desiree appeared a little tired.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked with concern.
“Yea, I think so.” Cochran had given her a lot to think about. Besides, the notion of crawling into bed with Tanner was a lot more welcoming than anything 6th Street could offer. As soon as the thought popped into her mind, Desiree admitted to herself that she’d changed. She wasn’t the same person who’d come to Lost Pines two weeks ago.
Everything had changed.
* * *
On the way home, Desiree fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. He’d stolen a kiss or two, rehearsing in his head how the next two days would go. Tanner prayed for time to stand still, but some prayers aren’t meant to be answered.
When they arrived back at Lost Pines, he carried her in, hoping not to awaken her. No such luck. As he laid Desiree on the bed and started to undress her, she began to wiggle. “Tanner?”
“Yes, baby?” They were still sleeping in the sun room. He had a huge king-size bed in his own bedroom, but if she’d consent to stay with him, he’d sleep on this narrow bed forever if she wanted.
“Don’t leave me.” She lifted up so he could tug the shimmery sheathe she wore over her head.
“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”
After he’d undressed, Tanner joined her. As soon as he did, she pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and smashing her breasts into his chest. “What’s up, sweetheart?” He knew she’d hadn’t had enough to drink to be tipsy.
“Hope you are.” She couldn’t explain the sense of urgency she felt, like if she didn’t get as much of him as she could – she’d somehow lose out on the opportunity.
“Is there any doubt?” He was always ‘up’ for her. His self-control was out the window as soon as her lips touched his. The next second his hands were tangled in that soft wealth of hair that he loved to wrap around his fist. Losing himself in her kiss, he marveled at the sweetness of her taste as he stroked her velvety tongue with his own. Moaning, Desiree pressed closer, straddling his lap. White pinpricks of pleasure exploded behind his eyes as she ground herself onto his cock. “You’re so sweet,” Tanner praised her as he
blazed an erotic trail from her lips to her neck. Finding the frantic pulse beat beneath her ear, he feasted on the fragrant softness. Taking his time, he spread his kisses down the elegant column of her throat, taking tiny bites as he went.
“I love you,” she whispered and Tanner’s heart almost stopped beating.
“God, I love you too.” He tightened his hold, caging her in his arms. “This time with you has been the best of my life.” The words just spilled from his lips.
“I didn’t know what I was missing until I found you again.” She sank back into his kiss.
Happiness burst forth in Tanner’s heart like a font of life-giving water. And when she sucked on his tongue, it went straight to his cock. Making himself happy, he filled his hands with her breasts, palming the nipples, loving the weight and softness of those perfect globes.
Desiree’s whole body was throwing a party as his mouth followed his hands and he took a nipple between his lips to suck. God, she was wet – so wet and aroused. She scrubbed her pussy across his groin seeking relief. “I love your chest,” she told him, taking her turn to lick at his nipples. He was strong, broad, hard from real work not just gym workouts.
“You’re not playing fair,” he growled as she rolled her hips, her deliciously wet pussy making him ache with longing.
“Who’s playing?” she whispered.
Feeling a surge of love and hope, he angled his head and really kissed her, twining those beautiful dark locks in his fingers, pouring all the deepest desires of his heart into the embrace. What they were doing was the sweetest form of play, but he was completely serious about loving her. “Let me in,” he pushed up with his hips.
“Okay,” she whispered with excitement. Holding on to his shoulders, she angled her hips, grasped his cock and eased herself down on it.
Tanner held her hips, loving the way she looked riding him.
“I can’t be still,” she whimpered as she worked her way farther down on him.
“Please, move all you want.” Tanner bucked up, impaling her fully, bringing the sweetest gasp from her lips. Together, they found their rhythm. He thrust up and she pushed back, their hunger growing. He was entranced by the sexy bouncing of her breasts and the look of absolute bliss on her face. “Feel good?”
“God, yes.” She placed both hands on his chest and groaned, chewing on her lower lip. Arching her back, she pushed against him as he fucked her.
Tanner couldn’t keep his hands still, he ran them up her front, tweaked her nipples, then down her arms. Every pass, they went back to her epic ass that fit so perfectly in the cradle of his hips. Hell, who was he kidding? The woman fit him perfectly in every way. He only hoped she felt the same way.
Refusing to ruin the moment by worrying, he shut his eyes and just concentrated on how good it felt to be inside her. Over and over again, he thrust up deep and hard, pulling out – pushing in.
Moving with him, Desiree undulated her hips, clamping down on him each time he was at the deepest. Her excitement grew with every thrust. She felt like she was about to fly apart. “Tanner…I need to cum!”
Wanting to give her whatever she desired, he brought his fingers around to tease her clit, finding it slippery, swollen and pulsing. “Let go, baby, I’ll catch you. I’ll always catch you.” Squeezing and teasing the tender nubbin, he watched her face as she let go, her eyes glazing over and her mouth forming a perfect ‘o’. When she came, she came so hard that the pressure her pussy placed on his cock pushed him over the edge. Holding her tight, he buried his face in her neck as their hearts pounded together. What the future held, he didn’t know, all he was sure of was what he held in his arms – the most important person in the world to him.
* * *
The next day dawned and when Desiree awoke, she was alone. She didn’t like that too much. “Tanner!”
When there was no answer, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. The fire was still rolling in the fireplace, so she knew he hadn’t been gone long. Looking around, she saw a note propped up on the pillow. Picking it up, she began to read.
Hey, baby
I had to run into town. There’s something really important I have to do. Don’t worry, I’ll be back this afternoon. I hope you meant what you said last night, because I sure did – so I’ll say it again.
I love you
Tanner
Desiree clasped the note to her breast. She felt like a teenager. He loved her! He loved her! With joy in her heart, she jumped from the bed and literally danced across the floor.
She’d no more than gotten ready for the day before her phone rang. Not really wanting to talk to her assistant, she ignored the call. A few seconds later, it began ringing again.
“Hello?”
“So, I see you decided to step out last night. That’s great?”
“What, how did you know? Did someone post something?” The power of social media never failed to shock her.
“TMZ, Nashville Gab, Country Music News, Gawker…take your pick. Videos of you singing, dancing and kissing with that hot young man candy of yours is everywhere!”
“Really?” Hell, she didn’t have her laptop with her and as far as she knew, Tanner didn’t even own a computer. “Well, since Stark is in jail, it’s all good, right?”
“Why, sure, I guess. Although I tried to call you yesterday, another note was left for you at the main offices of the record label.”
“That’s weird. I guess stuff like that will happen off and on. People are so strange.” Desiree decided to ignore it. Stark had been arrested. The danger was over.
True. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about the photos from last night. They’re great publicity for the concert and the TV special. The public needs to see you as a sexy woman. That mess with Atkins didn’t hurt you really, but this will go a long way to making people forget the fiasco.” She made a growly noise. “And honey, can you pick ‘em! That cowboy is sex on a stick!”
“Send me the link, Janice. I want to see for myself.” Something about her assistant’s tone told her there was more to it than she was letting on.
“Sure, when are you starting back?”
Desiree couldn’t listen well for checking to see if the text had shown up. “Uh…a couple more days.”
“Don’t forget rehearsals. You haven’t been onstage in almost a month. Your voice is a muscle, you have to exercise it – not that you sounded bad last night.”
“Yea, yea, I’ll be there.” She saw the link. “I’ll call you later.” Clicking on the gossip site, she sat down to see what it had to say.
Attention Country Music Lovers! There was a star sighting last night in the Live Music Capital of the World. And you all know I mean Austin, TX. One of the reigning queens of country music was spotted at a club on infamous 6th Street. The very talented Desiree Holt has been off the grid for some time. We now know she was recovering from surgery and a bout with depression, all stemming from an encounter she had with a stalker. On a brighter note, we have confirmed that said stalker is now doing some well-deserved jail time. Whatever problems Miss Holt was suffering from seem to be over. She was spotted and filmed performing at Buckles and Bows. Her voice is as good as ever. Even better was her escort for the evening. Enquiring minds wanted to know the identity of the good looking cowboy who was acting very proprietorial about our Desiree. We have confirmed that he’s a local boy, a Mr. Tanner Barron. Two things do stand out about this relationship. One, he has quite a shady background due to being the son of a cop killer who was murdered in prison. But this stain on his past hasn’t seemed to hold him back, Mr. Barron has made quite a name for himself in search and rescue – not to mention he’s extremely handsome. Apparently Miss Holt doesn’t hold his father’s sins against him, nor does she seem to be overly concerned about the large gap in their ages. All we can say to Miss Holt is…meow! Go cougar!
Desiree dropped her phone. It bounced across the tile and landed face down. She didn’t know what was worse – the fact that the gossipmonger had printed
libelous crap about Tanner or the fact they were calling her a cougar!
Just how old was he?
Passing a trembling hand over her face, Desiree tried to remember if he’d said anything about age. Putting her hands over her face, she wracked her brain. Nope! Nothing! Why hadn’t this come up before?
Walking outside, she went to the edge of the porch where the signal would be stronger. Going to Safari, she accessed Google, then did a quick search. When she saw the number of hits, she almost gagged. Accessing one after another, she read everything that had been written about her and Tanner concerning the night before.
By the time she was through, she felt sick.
Once source cited that he was twenty-eight years old. Twenty-eight! How could she not have known?
Meanwhile…in downtown Austin, Tanner was standing at the counter of a fine jewelry store picking out an engagement ring. He knew the right one the moment he saw it. Simple. Classy. Elegant. “Let me see the one on the far right.” He was anxious to get back home to Desiree. Only one more stop after this, to get the eleven roses for the twelfth day of Christmas. Maybe some extra for rose petals to set the mood.
The clerk was a young woman who was very helpful – but she kept staring at him. Tanner was feeling a bit self-conscious until she pointed and blurted out words so fast that he had to ask her to repeat them. “What did you say?”
“It’s you! You were with her! You were on Gossip Guru this morning!”
Maybe he just wasn’t that fast on the uptake, but it took him a minute before he realized what she was referring to. “Gossip what?”
“Let me show you.” She pulled out her phone. “I bet the video is on their website.” In a moment, she turned her phone around and Tanner saw his Desiree singing like a dream on the stage. The next thing he knew, there was a shot of them dancing.
“Yep, that’s me.”
And then he listened to what they were saying.
“Country music legend, Desiree Holt, has been seen out on the town for the first time in months! She seems to be fully recovered from the depression she supposedly was suffering from. Her voice seems to be in fine form. Speaking of fine forms…check out the man she’s with. The hot cowboy Desiree Holt is squiring around town is Tanner Barron, the search and rescue tracker who made headlines a few months ago after failing to find a toddler in one of the national parks. GG has learned that Mr. Barron is the son of cop-killer Raymond Barron. We won’t hold that against him, however. He’s handsome enough to make us forget those minor details. Right, Desiree? One source tells us that Desiree has been staying at Barron’s Lost Pines guest ranch since before Christmas. Santa was certainly good to Ms. Holt. Tanner is at least ten years younger than the famed singer. You go, girl!”