by Alicia Rae
“That’s a terribly long time to wait, baby. Are you sure you can make it?” His voice was low, deep, seductive, and filled with double meaning.
He rested his hands to the center of my ass, and the movement forced me forward an inch. The distinct noise of my cute lace panties tearing in two filled the air.
When Colton widened his legs beneath mine, my thighs spread, exposing my aching center. His finger slipped under my shredded garment, and he dragged it through my folds with a torturing lazy pace, driving me wild. Maybe teasing him wasn’t such a great idea after all.
“No,” I rasped, knowing I wasn’t going to make it five minutes, let alone hours. My core was coiled tight and pulsing with longing to sate my need for him.
Lifting my hips, I positioned myself over his erection. His hands came to my sides, and he slowly lowered me onto him until he was fully seated within me, stretching me.
My inner muscles contracted around him. I was ready to burst at the contact. It felt heavenly, utterly fucking divine.
Having to move, I began to rise and fall over him. Every movement was smooth and meticulous as Colton gripped my waist to keep my actions tentative, as though he were savoring this moment. He stretched me with precise swivels and rotations of his pelvis, perfectly matching my rhythm.
My forehead lowered against his, and I saw him watching me with thoughtful eyes. Neither of us seemed rushed to change our tempo. It was slow, sensual, and intimate, like we were silently communicating our love for one other.
He repositioned his left hand to drift it along my cheek, caressing it, and I lost myself in his baby-blue eyes that reflected back at me with nothing but love and adoration.
“So beautiful,” he murmured, driving his hips upward on a deep thrust. He captured my mouth, melding his lips to mine for a ravenous kiss.
His tongue parted my mouth, and I reciprocated his fervor as my body continued to move in sync with his. I was completely lost in him, captivated by him. He was my home forever. This was where I belonged—always.
I felt him thicken inside me, and I lost it, teetering over the edge. Starting somewhere deep within me and intensifying with each outward ripple through my lower abdomen, I climaxed on a rush. I barely heard Colton groan his own release as he pumped and withdrew, prolonging my ecstasy.
Colton lay back on the bed and pulled me with him where he enclosed me in his arms. I nestled my cheek along his damp skin and closed my eyes.
Minutes passed, maybe more, as we fought to catch our breaths and steady our heartbeats. My hand made tiny circles across his chest while I reveled in our after-lovemaking bliss. I loved it when we had time like this to just lie back and enjoy one another’s company.
Eventually, I peered up at Colton to see his sated eyes gazing back at me. “Are you ready to open your present now, cowboy?”
He tenderly stroked his thumb over the outer part of my hip bone. “No,” he answered in a soft tone, throwing me for a loop.
I couldn’t quite get a read on him, and my heart sank. He had sounded so eager to open it.
Perplexed, I asked, “Why not?”
“I already bought the present I wanted most,” he answered with utmost sincerity.
I drew another blank.
The atmosphere was rapidly changing around us. I felt apprehensive while he looked suddenly nervous.
I was really confused now, so I queried, “And what’s that?”
Without jostling me from his chest or looking away from me, he patted around on his nightstand. “I’ve had this for quite some time now, waiting for the picture-perfect moment.” His free hand ran up and down my back. “But I couldn’t pick one because they were all perfect for you.”
Colton brought his hand back to his side without revealing what he was holding. While I was stunned into silence, he continued, “You asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and my answer is the same.” He set his hand between us, and a small black velvet box came into view. “I will always want you, just you.” He flipped the lid open, revealing a stunning two-carat square-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds set on an antique platinum ring.
Its exquisiteness made me forget to breathe. My eyes darted back to his.
“You captured my heart and soul when I was just five years old.” He smiled a loving smile, reserved only for me. “You make me dream of a future with you standing by my side. You are the beginning, middle, and end of my heart, Paige. It only beats for you.”
Retrieving the ring, Colton set down the box and lifted his other hand to wipe away the tears flowing down my cheeks as he continued, “One lifetime with you will never be enough, so I don’t want to waste another day without you being mine.”
He slowly lifted my finger. “I want you to be my wife, Paige, now and forever. Even after my last breath, I will still love you. Marry me.”
Those baby-blue eyes that I loved more than anything were hidden by a second rush of tears. I blinked them away while nodding my head up and down. “Yes,” I cried. I smiled as endless happiness rolled and blossomed throughout my heart and soul. “Yes, cowboy, I will marry you.”
I launched myself at him, and he pulled me closer to his mouth.
“Thank God,” he breathed, “because I was never going to let you go.”
I wanted to tell him that he had me forever, but he stole my breath by fusing his lips over mine.
If I thought Colton had made love to me before, then it was nothing compared to this. His tender kisses were consumed with not only love, but also a profound happiness I’d never felt from him before. It was as if he were confounded by the idea that I was really going to be his forever and that we had a lifetime of hopes and dreams to share.
While not breaking our embrace, his hands came to my hips, and he settled himself between my thighs. He swallowed my moan as he rocked his pelvis into mine. He slid in deep and filled me full as he made love to me and worshiped every square inch of me.
There was no doubt that he owned my heart, body, and soul. We were two souls fated together as one. Nothing would ever break us.
After round two of lovemaking, I peered back up at Colton again and quirked a playful brow his way. “So, now, are you ready to open your present?”
“You just gave me the best birthday present ever,” he replied before kissing my forehead.
At his tender words, an endless field of butterflies spread like wildfire in my belly before thrumming their wings to take flight. “But I have a special gift for you.”
Not giving him the time to argue, I lavished his face with kisses. “You’ll love it. I promise.” I hopped from the bed to head for his dresser.
“I love you,” he countered from behind me. “You’re all I need.”
“You’ll want this, too,” I retorted, opening his second drawer to find a T-shirt.
“You hid my gift in my dresser?” he questioned in disbelief.
I slipped the comfy white cotton tee over my head, stuck my arms through the sleeves, and rotated to face him. “No.” I laughed. “I’m stealing one of your shirts.”
Colton folded his arms behind his head and leaned back against the headboard, propping himself up. His eyes went smoky. “I’d much rather you deliver my gift naked.”
A delicious shiver raced down my spine and ricocheted upward, retracing its path. But lugging a big-ass box out of the closet and carrying it to the bed with no clothes on was not my idea of sexy, so I smirked. “That would be way too much action for one day, and we’d end up back in bed.”
“It sounds like the perfect way to spend the rest of my birthday with my future wife,” he hummed throatily.
As tempting as it was, I shook away the thought and headed for the closet before his naked sexiness lured me into changing my plans for the afternoon. “No can do,” I tossed over my shoulder.
Once in the small space, I retrieved the wrapped box and pivoted on my bare feet to head back to the bedroom.
Colton’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of me
, and he leaped up from the bed. He was in front of me in a split second with his hands outstretched in front of him. “Jesus, Paige. Why didn’t you ask for help?”
“I got it,” I said.
But he grabbed the package from me anyway. “What on earth do you have in here? Did you buy the whole store?” he asked on a chuckle, no doubt taking in the hefty weight of his gift.
He went to the mattress and shook the box before setting it down. His eyes were alight with curiosity and anticipation as he scanned the wrapping paper and bow, clearly trying to guess what was inside.
Mirroring his expression, I answered, “Nope. That wouldn’t have fit in there.”
My excitement heightened, realizing how much we both needed this after the past few weeks. I could hardly stand to wait for him to rip open the paper, so I whispered, “Open it.”
He set his hand at the corner of the box, tore the seam of the paper all the way across the top, and ripped open the flaps of the package. He dug his hands inside and pulled the new roping saddle I’d purchased at Jane’s Western Leather Store. I smiled and watched as Colton’s eyes roamed over the intricate Western design embedded in the dark brown leather of the saddle while smelling its freshness. It fit Colton’s personality to a T.
I flicked nervous eyes up at him. “Do you like it?”
He tilted his head toward me, beaming a breathtaking smile. “It’s perfect.”
He nudged the empty box out of the way, set down the saddle, and closed the gap between us where he hauled me into his arms. Cupping my chin, he lifted my gaze to his. “Thank you,” he murmured, bending down to skim his lips over mine.
I banded my arms around his center. There had been too many saddles to choose from, so I was relieved he loved the one I’d picked for him.
“You’re welcome.”
A boyish dimple revealed itself at the corner of his mouth. “So, does this mean we won’t be spending the day in bed?”
“Nope.” I laughed. “We are going for a ride, cowboy, so you can put some miles on your new saddle.”
His eyes suddenly swarmed with emotions that ranged from sadness to what he’d recently endured and lost all the way to an indescribable hopefulness for a new future. It tugged straight on my heart. Each feeling passed through me, affecting me deeply.
He lifted his hand and brushed my hair off my face while keeping our eyes locked on one another. “I’m a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason. Sometimes, I struggle to understand why I suffered while watching my barn burn to a pile of ashes. But then, in moments such as this, understanding and acceptance click into place.” His thumb traced a path across my lower lip. “Now, I’ve been given the chance to rebuild my dreams with you. Together, Paige—it’s the way we’ll do everything, every day. I refuse to live a single day without you by my side.”
“Together,” I agreed without missing a beat. “Always.”
He leaned into me and pressed his lips to my forehead. “Let’s go make some new memories then.”
AS PAIGE SWITCHED OUT FOSTER’S HALTER for his bridle in front of the patio, I let Bentley run his nose up and down the new leather saddle.
“What do you think, boy?” I asked as he continued to scope it out.
I took his low snort as approval when he turned his face forward and slightly lowered his head, appearing relaxed.
Stepping backward, I set the saddle on top of his back, directly over the protective blanket, and I began to finish readying him for our horseback ride.
Once complete, from the corner of my eye, I saw Paige leaning under Foster’s belly.
A carrot was dangled between her fingers as she cooed, “Back,” in a soft yet firm tone. She lightly tapped her boot on his front hoof while she gave a tug on the rein with her opposing arm.
I shifted and rested my shoulder against Bentley’s hindquarter as I watched her in awe. For the trick being so new to Foster, I was amazed at how well he was responding to it. In addition, I loved how quickly he had taken a liking to Paige. A bond was definitely forming between the two of them.
Foster listened flawlessly to her command by lowering his forequarters at an angle and rocking back on his hindquarters. He gently snatched the carrot and held his position.
With agile movements, Paige squatted fractionally and then leaped up onto the horse’s back. She wiggled herself upright until she was sitting on his back with the rein in hand and her legs on either side of his stomach. Her sparkling brown eyes danced over at me, knocking the wind out of my lungs.
“Ready?” she asked.
Out of the blue, it dawned on me that I’d never get to hoist her onto a horse again, taking in the view of her gorgeous ass in my face. It was a very bittersweet moment. Maybe I’d have to teach Foster how not to bow. But I quickly tossed away my mischievous idea, knowing how badly she wanted this. I’d just have to grope her ass before she could leap up onto Foster’s back.
I cleared my throat quietly and replied, “Yep,” before turning around to climb aboard Bentley.
Paige began to trot toward the back of the yard. I followed behind her and quickly caught up to her side. I was mesmerized by the way the sunlight bounced off her long hair, which flowed gracefully down her back. It matched the light in her eyes.
Once we reached the property tree line, Paige made a left turn instead of our usual right. From there, we continued along a dirt path.
The sun was at its peak, beating down on us, and I felt the humidity lingering in the air. A slight breeze was the only relief to cool the heat from my skin.
Foster slowed in front of me, and I eased Bentley to a gradual walk as we neared the first hill on this trail. I inched forward in my saddle as Bentley increased the length of his strides where he effortlessly ascended between the rows of green pines.
“Watch out!” Paige exclaimed in warning. Laughing, she ducked her head to avoid colliding with an overgrown branch.
I bent forward as I passed under it. Soon, the trail narrowed to only a foot wide. I heard horses’ hooves stomping over the rocks below as we climbed a steep hill and weaved left and right around another two curves.
I couldn’t help but feel nervous and occasionally hold my breath when Paige would come too close to the steep edge for my liking. I had to force myself to remember that Paige was an experienced rider, and her actions didn’t disappoint when she expertly maneuvered Foster to her destination of choice.
I didn’t need to ask where we were going because I already knew. There was a secluded pond about fifty yards ahead that Paige and I used to swim in as kids. We hadn’t been there in years, but I suddenly found myself anxious to spend some alone time with her there.
When the water came into view, Paige and I brought the horses to a stop, and we dismounted from them. I spotted the nearest tree in view from the pond and carefully tied Bentley to a branch where he would be free of tangling on anything. Paige did the same with Foster.
I walked over to her and linked my fingers with hers. The two of us walked hand in hand from beneath the shade to out into the sun until we reached the edge of the water.
The grass ended and turned to sand.
Paige hesitated. “Wait. My boots,” she said, unlinking her fingers from mine to brace herself on my right arm.
She removed her shoes and socks, and then I did the same.
Barefoot, we crossed the warm sand. I glanced over at Paige to see her smiling out at the view, so I let my gaze follow hers.
It was just as I remembered it years ago. Large rocks outlined the outer edges of the water with a path down the center. The tall old willow tree was still intact with our swinging rope dangling from the thickest branch that ended above a deeper section of the pond.
Paige sank to the ground a few feet from the water. I came to sit behind her and widened my legs, so she could scoot in between them. I gathered her in my arms and pulled her to my chest. When she leaned back into me, I let out a content sigh.
The two of us sat in com
fortable silence, perusing the area. The peace and tranquility surrounding us was calming and soothing. It was exactly what Paige and I needed, so we could just be us with nothing trying to tear us apart.
“Did we really get engaged today?” she asked in amazement.
I didn’t need to see her face to know that she was smiling.
“We did,” I answered softly.
I wondered what in the hell had taken me so long to ask her. I should have done it years ago. But I had been so caught up in wanting to do it the right way. I’d wanted to prove that I was worthy of her love and able to support her financially on the ranch, and I’d lost sight on what was truly important—our love. It was all we needed. The rest would fall into place.
Wedding dates entered my thoughts. Fuck, I hoped she could plan quickly. As long as I had a tux, she had a dress, and there was a minister to marry us, I would be ready to tie myself to her today.
I was about to ask her what time frame she had in mind when she sidetracked me by inquiring, “Do you remember coming here on my fifteenth birthday?”
That boyish grin only she could invoke in me surfaced. “I do…vividly.”
Paige softly elbowed me in the ribs and tipped her head back at me, smiling. “That’s only because you talked me into undressing to my skivvies for the first time.”
“Mmm,” I drawled on a low growl of approval. “They were pink with polka dots.”
Paige’s head fell back on my shoulder as she laughed uncontrollably. “Leave it to you to remember the specifics.”
I pounced quickly and maneuvered us until she was on the sand that had been beneath my body. My hands cupped her face to move her hair from blocking my view of her stunning brown eyes that held my heart captive. “How could I forget?” I caressed from the corner of her brow all the way across to her temple. “You’re all I see, Paige.”
“You’re all I’ve ever seen.” Her hands settled on my chest between us, making my heart pound against my rib cage. She dotingly stared up at me. “Some say love grows over time, and it makes me ponder how my heart will survive loving you for another fifty-plus years. You’re not the other half of my heart, Colton. You are all of it.”