Billy knew that wasn’t something Alice did easily. It made him feel conflicted. On one hand, he felt strangely honored that she trusted him enough to share her feelings with him because he knew how discerning she was, but on the other hand, this was the information he came for and his chance to position himself to win the battle.
He nodded his head, and inhaled slowly. Conflicted or not, this was why he was here. He had a job to do and people counting on him.
“Alice. What if it does work out as planned. What if you are right about the possibilities? What if they do come?” he asked, his voice laced with encouragement.
Her face, which was stern with reserve, suddenly lit up with hope. She smiled cautiously at him, as if she had been looking for a cheerleader all along.
“If it did work out, it would secure my future. I could live here and raise my own family here. It would be hard work, but it would be work that I love. It would be perfect,” she said dreamily.
Billy looked back out over the ranch, pausing for a few moments to allow his discomfort to diminish. He was confused by his emotions. He was confused by emotion, period. He had built a life that allowed him to avoid messy things like feelings, so they were a foreign concept to him, and somewhat disruptive.
The truth was, her ideal life sounded awesome. After spending a few weeks on the ranch, he could easily understand why she would never want to leave. In another lifetime he could see himself working right alongside her, putting in a hard day’s work, talking and teasing each other through a relaxing dinner, going to bed early and fucking themselves to exhaustion, and then falling to sleep in each other’s arms.
Admittedly, he had fantasized about all of it. Primarily the fucking part, but he could see a life with Alice if the situation were different. If any woman could be a match for him, Alice had the most potential. But not in this life.
“I think you should show me your business plan, Alice,” he said quietly, looking back at her.
She regarded him carefully.
“I think you should revisit it with fresh eyes. I don’t know a whole lot about business, but I would love for you to share your vision with me,” he offered as kindly as he could.
Alice cocked her head at him and offered him a sly grin.
“Oh, yeah? You want to play show and tell?” she flirted playfully, her eyes teasing him.
Billy chuckled at the innuendo. He grinned back at her, pleased by her feistiness. It was the first time since the night they played pool that she even hinted at being naughty, and he was up for anything she was offering. He had never met a woman that could fire up his libido with just a look, and for a moment he was speechless.
Alice giggled and pulled on Sadie’s reigns. Her loyal mare, always ready for Alice’s commands, took off down the slope. Donald put his ears up and nudged forward, not wanting to be left behind. Billy felt the same way.
“Well, go git her,” he said, loosening his hold on the reigns.
Donald carried him down the hill, closing the gap between them.
Later that night, after the evening chores were done, Alice and Billy sat at the kitchen table looking at the papers she had laid out. She had a thorough business plan that included architectural drawings of the area, the out buildings, the arena, even the landscaping. The cabins were to be built by the shoreline, taking advantage of the view. Smart. Of course, he would have done the same thing, he thought, grinning to himself.
She had a budget in place with a plan to earn a diversified income from different areas of the ranch. This would help fund each step of the plan as it unfolded. It was solid. If she was smart and patient, it would work, and she was both of those things.
But Billy was cunning, and this business plan was designed five years ago. He could see a clear opportunity to exploit the situation. Alice said she would have to use her life savings to build the Equine Center. It was this arena that would generate the funds needed to move on to the next steps in the plan, securing possible investors, and building the cabins.
If he could convince Alice to build, and allow him to act as the general contractor, he could control her investment. The longer it took to build the arena, the more financially strained she would be. It wouldn’t take much to chip away at her investment, and there were always unplanned expenses that could eat into the budget.
“So, what do you think?”
She smiled at him hopefully.
Billy smiled back at her involuntarily. He couldn’t help it. She was adorable.
“I think you have a solid plan, as far as I can tell. I’m no expert, but it sure looks like you have put a lot of thought and work into this.”
“Yes, I have. We worked with the architect for almost six months, planning out every last detail,” she said, pointing to the blueprint. “I could clearly see it, laid out before me, like it had already been built.”
Her voice took on a serious tone.
“I know it sounds silly, but I honestly thought if I just kept visualizing it, that one day it would be real. I wanted it so bad I could taste it.”
Billy looked up at her, searching her eyes. He didn’t think that sounded silly at all.
“Anyway, I haven’t given it much thought in the past few years, not before you arrived, anyway. I guess I have just been too busy.”
Billy nodded, wondering if it was more than that.
“Why do you think my coming here made you start to dream again?” he asked warmly.
Alice looked away, maybe a little embarrassed. Billy prodded further.
“Come on Alice, tell me.”
Alice shook her head and offered him a smile.
“I don’t know, really. I guess just watching you work around the ranch, fixing things that have been needing it, lending an extra pair of hands. It’s taken a lot of pressure off me. I guess it made some room for dreaming again.”
Alice’s face softened and her cheeks turned pink. Her shy smile was filled with honesty and vulnerability.
Billy shook his head and looked away. He swallowed hard, pushing his shame back down. Alice shifted nervously beside him, and he knew exactly why. She was looking for validation from him. Something, anything, to tell her that he understood her. She was dropping bait into the water. Everything in him wanted to bite. But he couldn’t.
“I think you should do it, Alice,” he said quietly, finally breaking the awkward silence.
Alice looked at him quizzically.
“Yeah?” she prodded, her eyes searching his.
He leaned back, putting some distance between himself and the table, crossing his arms in front of him.
He still had mixed feelings. He knew he was quite capable of putting his plan into motion. Yes, Alice was smart, but he was too, and he was confident that he could stay one step ahead of her.
The thought of deceiving Alice didn’t hold much appeal. But, at the same time, this was business, and he had to keep that in mind. He came here for a reason and at the end of the day, Alice would walk away with plenty of money in her pocket in exchange for her land. He would be sure to compensate her. She wouldn’t be left destitute. And she would get over the betrayal eventually. Right?
Billy nodded his head, his forced smile convincing enough. Alice looked back down at the plans, her eyes bright with hope. Billy inhaled slowly and deeply, shaking off his doubt.
“I don’t know how to start,” Alice admitted, her voice quiet and wavering.
Billy looked at her curiously. This conversation continued to reveal a side of Alice she had not yet shown to him, and he knew he needed to capitalize on it. He took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She looked at him hopefully.
“You start with trusting your instincts. You know this plan is a winner. You’ve known it all along,” he encouraged. “You go back to your business plan and you start at step one, and I can help you, Alice. You just have to have the balls to start. This is yours for the taking.”
He knew he was baiting her, but his instincts told him t
hat she would respond to it.
Alice hesitated, processing his words carefully, biting her lip nervously. Every time she did that, the blood instantly rushed to his cock. It made him want to push the pause button on whatever was happening in that moment and force her up against the wall so he could take her with a passion equal to his need.
Alice looked at him intently, her eyes searching his, without a doubt sensing his need. Her innocent smile suddenly sent him over the edge.
“I swear to God, Alice, if you bite those delicious lips one more time before I get to taste them, I may go fucking crazy,” he growled, regretting the words as soon as they spilled from his mouth.
He was certain he had over stepped the boundaries. His heart beat in his chest, both from his arousal and his nervousness.
Alice smiled and leaned in toward him, her eyes softening.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for making you crazy,” she teased softly.
Billy didn’t waste a second. He placed a hand behind her head and pulled her into a deep kiss. Her sweet mouth was just as eager as his. She placed her hands behind his neck, her fingers lacing in his hair, returning his kisses with breathless passion. It didn’t take long for his cock to grow hard and he wanted to feel it against her.
He slipped his hands down her back and pulled her in closer. At the invitation, Alice slid herself off her chair and climbed into his lap, straddling her legs on either side of him. He could feel the warmth of her pussy as she settled herself on top of him, his cock straining against the fabric of his jeans.
Her mouth found his again and she parted her lips, inviting his tongue for a taste.
Billy wanted Alice more than he had ever wanted any woman, but now that she was suddenly in his arms he was nervous. She aroused him but also made him nervous, and he wanted more than anything to please her. Those feelings were foreign to him, but they also energized him in a way that he couldn’t explain. He pulled her closer to him, a throaty groan escaping from his lips. She rewarded him with an intoxicating moan of her own.
“God, woman, I want you,” he admitted, his voice cracking with passion.
Alice pulled back and looked at him, her eyes heavy with desire. Billy leaned in and kissed her neck, his teeth grazing the warm, inviting flesh. Alice squirmed deliciously in his lap, her sighs urging him to continue. His hands slid down the small of her back landing on her ass and he gently squeezed her curves. His mouth continued to explore her, as he nibbled on her ears, neck, and throat, finally finding her lips again. He was at risk of losing control. She accepted his tongue, her hands holding his face gently.
As if sensing his urgency, she returned his kiss slowly, deliberately taking charge of the pace and intensity of his passion. He wasn’t accustomed to giving up control, but understood the importance of letting her lead. He didn’t want to spook her. He gently stroked her back while she continued to kiss him, her throaty moans a good indication of her level of pleasure.
The slower she kissed him, the hotter he got. She traced his jawline with her lips, leaving a trail of kisses on his neck and earlobes. She sighed deeply in his ear, her hot breath tormenting him. He did his very best to be patient, but his desire was peaking. He leaned forward and placed his hands under her ass, lifting her as he stood up. She giggled and gasped, locking her hands tightly around his neck as he easily picked her up.
He placed her gently on the table in front of him, pushing the drawings and plans to the floor. She must have liked his assertiveness because she kissed him back with sudden intensity. He peeled off her plaid shirt, throwing it to the ground and then leaned her back on the table, shifting himself between her legs.
He kissed the flesh of her neck, his hands eager to feel her curves. Her bra unclasped at the front and he opened it with shaking fingers, anxious to expose her breasts. He was surprised by her pretty pink lingerie, a stark contrast to the dusty ranch garb she was most comfortable in. He liked being surprised by her and chuckled to himself. She looked at him knowingly. He gently sat her up and slipped the straps off her arms, removing the dainty bra completely, and then brought his mouth to her soft, sweet nipples. She lay back down inviting him to continue, enjoying the wetness of his mouth on her hot flesh. He sucked on each bud until it puckered in his mouth, resisting the urge to bite. He kissed in a line down to her navel until he came to the button on her jeans. He looked up, searching her eyes for non-verbal cues. She reached down and opened the button herself, inviting him to pleasure her.
He hesitated, soaking in the perfection of her. This smart, sexy woman wanted him. She was finally opening up to him in every way, and he wanted nothing more in this moment than to exceed her expectations. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt damn lucky to be in her arms and between her legs.
She smiled up at him, urging him to continue and that was all the encouragement he needed. He playfully pulled off her boots, and tossed them aside, then slowly unzipped her jeans. She lifted her bottom off the table helping him to peel off her jeans and panties, exposing her sweet pussy. He gently encouraged her to open her legs wider for him and kissed from her navel down to her soft pink folds. She sighed deeply and shuddered as he expertly nibbled her clit. Her spicy scent intoxicating him as he tasted every inch of her sex.
At first, she lay perfectly still, her hands flat on the table, breathless in anticipation, but as soon as his fingers plunged deep inside her, she arched her back and moaned, her hands reaching out for him. He hungrily lapped at her pussy, continuing to fuck her with his fingers. He wanted nothing more than to hear her cum as she gave herself completely to him. He felt her fingers knit into his hair as her breath quickened. A throaty moan escaped her lips and he knew she was close.
He kept pace with her as her hips rose to meet his fingers again, and again. When she cried out in pleasure he felt his own body shiver in anticipation. He needed to fuck her.
Alice sat up on the edge of the table, her breath still shallow, her cheeks flushed with passion. Billy wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She hugged him tightly, her body warm against his chest.
“I want you,” she whispered, her breath hot against his neck.
He nodded and reached for his zipper, but her hands were quicker. She opened his jeans and freed his cock, dripping with pre-cum.
“Do you have a condom?” she asked hopefully.
Billy looked at her flatly and shook his head.
“I don’t have one with me. I wasn’t really expecting this... uh... turn of events,” he grinned.
Alice smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling with desire.
“I guess next time we will be more prepared,” she teased.
He groaned and pulled her in for a kiss, her scent still lingering on his lips. It didn’t seem to bother her at all because she returned his kiss eagerly. This turned him on even more and his hard cock pressed into her. She took him in her hands and she stroked him, gently at first, but soon she increased the pressure and rhythm. He grabbed the edge of the table, his eyes locked to hers. He was amped up and very close to cumming, but he didn’t want his first time with her to end with a hand job. He wanted to be inside her.
He could wait.
He reached down and gently placed his hand on hers.
“Alice,” he said gently.
She looked at him curiously. He didn’t make her guess.
“It’s ok,” he said softly.
He smiled warmly at her, but she shook her head.
“I want you to enjoy this too,” she whispered back.
He knew she was sincere and he appreciated that.
“Oh god, woman, I did enjoy it. You have no idea how much I enjoyed it.”
He kissed her again, slowly, and passionately. She wrapped her legs and arms around him tightly. He moaned and pulled himself away.
“I only have so much self-control, Alice. Cut me some slack, cowgirl,” he teased.
Alice shrugged her shoulders and giggled.
“Sorry,”
she offered playfully.
“I do want you. So much,” he admitted, shaking his head slowly, “but we have time, and next time I’ll be better prepared. I promise.”
She nodded and leaned her forehead against his. He was surprised by how much he enjoyed the intimacy. They stayed that way for a minute, neither of them ready for the moment to end. Finally, Billy pulled away and tucked himself back into his jeans. He reached down for her shirt and offered it back to her. She held out her arms to take it, but he placed it back on, carefully redressing her.
Jumping off the table, she pulled her underwear and jeans back on and turned around to find him sitting in a chair, holding her bra up with his fingertips. She giggled and walked over to him, attempting to take it from him, but instead he pulled her into his lap and kissed her.
“What happens now?” he asked her when their kiss ended.
Alice offered him a bright smile.
“Well, I pick those plans up off the floor and I grow a pair of balls,” she said lightly, teasing him.
Billy chuckled and smacked her behind playfully.
“Thank god that is just a figure of speech,” he teased. “I like your lady parts.”
Alice shook her head, rolling her eyes playfully at him. He kissed the tip of her nose, causing her to smile.
“I’m serious,” she stated sincerely. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to talk to some general contractors tomorrow and hire someone to implement these plans. You are right, Billy, this is mine for the taking and I think I’m finally ready.”
He nodded, but couldn’t make eye contact with her. Instead looked down to the plans on the floor. Finally, he spoke.
“You don’t need to hire a General Contractor, Alice. I can help you with that. I’m well experienced in this area. A few years back I was involved in some major construction projects at the winery and I acted as GC. I can get you some references if you like,” he offered carefully.
Then he teased, “I know it is hard to believe, but ranching isn’t my forte. Construction is really where I shine.”
Alice chuckled.
“You mean you aren’t really a rancher? You don’t say.”
Playboy Ever After Page 49