by Ally Prince
Kayla headed to her car and popped the trunk. She took one heeled boot off and teetered on the heel of the other as she replaced her boot. With…
“Are those mucking boots?” Where the hell had she got them? And when?
“Well, yeah, it was all I could find.” She removed her other heel and settled her foot into her black rubber boots. Fuck, she was really trying to wrangle herself into my heart.
“I’ll take you to the feed shop on Monday they sell the best boots.” Her eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly slamming her trunk. She had just reached me, tilting her face up to me when a truck drove around the corner. I stole a quick kiss.
“Oh, you called Easton?” She bounced on her heels a little excited. I frowned over at her, but she didn’t notice.
Easton Mansfield climbed out of his truck. He was tall and covered in tattoos, I didn’t really see the appeal if I was honest. Kayla waved even though he was only a few feet away, the guy chuckled. I stepped closer to Kayla dropping an arm over her shoulder. I swear his smile widened at the gesture.
“How you doin’, sweetheart?” Easton drawled a little thick.
“I’m fine and dandy.” She was bouncing again.
“Nick, nice to see you.” He thrust his hand in my direction and I took it.
“You too, thanks for coming.”
“No worries. I had to stop in soon to see this little firecracker.” The fucker winked at Kayla and she nuzzled closer to me.
“Did you find him?” Her voice turned suddenly soft and unsure and it hit me.
“You checking up on Miskin?” Easton nodded his heavily tattooed hand coming up to rub at his brow.
“Yeah. Summer had that shit locked up tight, but I have a man over in Reno. Miskin was still there as of last night. You’re safe, sweetheart.”
Of course, she was, she was with me.
“So, what can I do for you, ‘cause let me tell you I have no interest in a hunting permit unless we’re hunting the two-legged kind that likes to piss off pretty ladies.” This guy, if he weren’t a little scary to look at I would say a few choice words to about now. But I bit my tongue and took a deep breath.
Kayla seemed to notice, so she put a hand on my stomach and turned her body into mine. “You okay?”
“He’s pissed I’m flirting with ya, sweetheart, that’s all. It’s all good. I see she’s with you, but I love messing with you guys. Mason still threatens me with a shotgun every visit. Dude is whipped, funny as fuck. Sorry, funny as can be.” I took his words for what they were, honest, and invited him into the office. I had laid out some maps the day before and we got to work on checking out all the possibilities.
“I can’t hard-wire anything out there. I can set something up to come on with movement, so you’ll probably get a lot of deer, squirrels and what have you, but if there happens to be a person you will catch them, too. It’s pretty simple, I can set it up and lock it into a laptop for you. It’s basic and shouldn’t take longer than a few hours. Should we go for a drive and check it out?”
“You wanna come, Kitten?” She bit her lip and nodded, still looking excited as hell.
We hoped in our separate cars and Easton followed as I headed to the far west corner where all the issues seemed to be. Kayla talked the whole way. She asked about everything, her eyes were wide open, and she seemed truly happy to be on a ranch and about to do her first day’s work. It might be a casual day, but her enthusiasm was endearing.
“Do you think it’s Dad setting it up?” Her question didn’t surprise me.
I shrugged a little because while I had a hunch, I had no real idea. “Yeah, I think he has way too much interest in the patch of land. Who else would it be and for what reason?”
“Did you check out Sanderson?”
“Not yet, Kitten. That was next on the list.”
“Your ranch is beautiful, Nick, I love it.” Thank fuck for that. I hoped she kept that love for it and never resented being stuck out of town as many did. I was a countryman and a countryman I would stay. I hoped she’d want to be a country wife.
Kayla
I spent the day on a ranch. My face felt a little windswept, my hair was a mess but the smile on my face was genuine. Nick was such a hard worker, he didn’t want me to lift a finger, but I wanted to help. I needed to prove to myself I was good at something else. And that even if I never used my degree again I would be okay.
I slipped off my boots at the door and headed straight for the bathroom. I needed a shower. Nick was finishing up with a few things before dinner, and hopefully afterward, we’d have some really intense sex.
I wondered if this was what sex was like for most people, or had I just had shit luck. I’d only slept with Rove once. I thought even though he was an ass maybe we might have some bedroom chemistry. We didn’t. He didn’t know his ass from his elbow, it was awkward and I regretted it right away because he wanted more and when I wouldn’t give it to him well, he got violent. My mother barely reacted at the first black eye I came home with and my father gave me a lecture on how to treat a man. The second one, I saw the pain in Mom’s eyes, but she didn’t do anything, and my father threatened to blacken the other one until I learned how to keep a man happy. So yeah, besides my high school boyfriend, I had had shit luck at sex.
Until now.
I stripped off my clothes and headed into the shower. I hoped to be washed and in the kitchen before Nick came home. I liked that word associated with Nick. Home.
I had finished washing the shampoo from my hair when I heard him call my name.
“In the shower,” I hollered toward the door which I left wide open. I was comfortable here.
“You mind if I come in?” he replied from the bedroom.
I laughed. “Nick, it’s your house.”
I turned my back to the water to watch the large man fill the doorway through the glass. I couldn’t make out his features through the steam and condensation on the glass, but I could see he was stripping off his shirt.
“Can I come in there with you?” I loved that he asked, there was something about it that lit the warm and fuzzies inside of me.
“Sure, you can.” I swallowed and had to take my eyes off him because I was already in need of some relief down below. He lit me up like no other. I turned and put my face up to the water while Nick snuck in behind me. His large hands sliding over my hips and to my belly before he pulled me back against him. He was hard, everywhere.
“I can’t tell you how much I like you here, in my house, lovin’ my ranch.” His deep growl washed over me.
“If you want me to leave, please tell me. I don’t want you to get sick of me being in your space.” I was honest and there was a little bit of doubt deep inside that said Nick would get bored with me. There was no way I could keep a man like him. I hoped to prove that voice wrong, I really did.
“I’ll tell you.” He smiled. “Thanks for today, you made a mundane day something else.”
“Was it the blow job?” I snorted a little and inhaled some water. Nick patted my back until the coughing eased. We needed to check a well. The solar panel was out, Nick was being all technical and it was hot. So hot, I got myself worked up, and the guy didn’t do a single thing. It took him a moment or two to realize but when he did, he dropped his tools and showed me how talented he was with his hands. So, I returned the favor, and he told me how he wanted me to take care of his cock. I was getting wet just thinking about it.
“Well, that was a bonus, Kitten.” He turned us so he was in the water and lulled his head back. I watched the beads dance all over his tanned skin. I traced the lines on his muscles with a finger. When he snapped his head forward, his hair darker, his eyes sinful, I knew that look. Instantly my body was on fire.
“I think I need to show you how a working man should pleasure his woman. I think I need to taste your sweet pussy. Will you let me?” I made a strangled noise and when he smiled, I simply nodded. I was about to ask how it was going to work when he dropped to his
knees in front of me. Oh, wow. He moved me until my back hit the tiles and his nose nuzzled my crease.
“You have such a sweet scent, Kitten.” I flushed with heat, not sure how to take that. Nick pushed out my legs making me a little unsteady on my feet and then he dug a shoulder in under my left leg leaving me propped up half on him.
“Nick?” This looked like it could end badly. Technically, it might cause me an injury.
“Trust me, Kitten. I won’t let you fall.” I touched his face, he leaned into my hand and my heart stammered a little.
I love this man, I thought. Could that even possible after such a short time?
“Hold on.”
“To what?” I looked around and there was nothing to support me because we were wet in the shower on tiles—it all screamed certain death.
“To me, Kitten. Grip my hair if you need.” I didn’t get to reply because Nick’s tongue touched my bundle of nerves and I squealed. Oh, dear God, I was going to die. His tongue dove between my folds, he licked at my opening, a long finger replacing his tongue as he pulled back and wrapped his lips around my clit. He sucked and licked, his fingers pumped, and my body began to grow limp. The sensation was unlike anything I had experienced with him, and it was by far the most adventurous thing I had ever done.
I threaded my fingers through his short hair and he growled against my clit. The vibrations making my body climb. I managed to open my eyes long enough to glance down and notice Nick had one hand doing wonders to me along with his mouth, but his other was wrapped around himself and he was pumping fast. That sight alone had my body climbing quicker than I ever thought possible. My head hit the wall, my toes tried to curl and my body began to pulse. Wave after wave of pure ecstasy washed over me. My moans were rough and jerky matching the movements of my body and Nick was groaning against me. His head pressed to my pelvis as he looked down. I wanted to see that too. I removed my leg off his shoulder in time to see the first white jet leave him. I started to slip down the wall but Nick pulled me onto his legs, pearly fluid still leaking from him and landing on my thighs.
I placed my hand over his, he shuddered at the touch. I loved that I did this to him. I helped him wind himself down, both of us trying to gather our breath as we sat on the shower floor.
“The things you do to me, Kitten. You really have no idea, do you?” I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, but the kiss Nick gave told me it was. I hoped this was more than a weekend of sex, but if that was all he would give me I would find a way to deal with it. Because I would risk heartbreak for one more night with this man.
Chapter 8
Nick
“You sure you want me to come. You can drop me home. I won’t be offended.” I shot Kayla a look across the cab of my truck. “I just want to make sure.” This was kind of a big deal. I was taking her to my folk’s house for Sunday lunch. I’d never taken a girl before and when I told Mom earlier that I was, she was excited and cautious because she hadn’t heard anything about this girl who was suddenly in my life. Kayla had agreed, but she obviously had doubts about the whole thing. Doubts that were deep rooted because of her asshole father.
“Kitten, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you here. You should know that by now.” In our short time together, I had always asked for her consent, asked to make sure she was comfortable. It was what I did to ease her a little.
Mom and Dad lived in the older part of town where the houses were grander and showed history. Instead of these huge gray monstrosities Summer liked to build. My parents had a small porch with a swing, they had a tire swing hanging from a tall tree waiting for the grandchildren they expected to get at some stage. Their neighbors were all around the same age and the streets were safe and quiet. If I lived in town, I would live here too.
I parked in their drive, got out and walked around to Kayla’s side and opened the door. She sat staring forward, hands gripped tightly together in her lap and she was chewing on her cheek.
“They will love you. Just be you.” My hand landed on her thigh, thankfully she had jeans on and I couldn’t feel her soft as fuck skin. I offered her a squeeze, but she didn’t look at all appeased by it. So, I gripped her chin and turned her, so those blue eyes were filled with me. Her eyes were so expressive, I could get lost in them. I leaned forward and brought my lips to hers. The kiss was slow and sweet. I wanted to take it further, I always did with her, but I stopped and pulled back.
“Let’s go eat so we can go home and be naked.” Her cheeks colored but her eyes lit up. Fuck, she was coming alive.
I managed to get her out of the truck. Earlier we had gone to her place to restock her bag. I found another bag and stuffed that one full too. Slowly, I would get all her things to my place and she wouldn’t even notice. She wore tight black pants and ankle boots. A dark green sweater and probably ten layers under it but she looked beautiful, elegant even.
I didn’t knock on the door, I walked right in like always. Her hand squeezed mine tighter as I hollered out a, “Hello,” into the silent house.
I frowned into the sitting room that was right there off the entry, it was empty. My father normally sat in the recliner ready to discuss the stock market or something equally boring. I dragged Kayla behind me into the large kitchen. She oohed and aahed. On a good note, the place smelled amazing, Mom sure knew how to cook a good roast with all the trimmings.
“They wouldn’t be outside, Mom doesn’t like the chill,” I said more to myself than to Kayla as I dragged her back toward the entrance where the stairs led up to the second floor.
“Mom, Dad,” I yelled up the stairs. I heard something hit the floor followed by hushed voices. “Mom?” I let go of Kayla’s hand and was about to head on up when my mother appeared at the top of the stairs.
“I told you there wasn’t time. That’s not my fault.” She pointed at something before turning her attention to the stairs.
“Oh. Hi, dear.” Her cheeks were flushed and… were her buttons done up wrong?
“Hi.” It wasn’t enthusiastic because I was confused as fuck.
But when my father appeared behind her zipping up his fly. I got it.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I gawked at my parents.
“Language, and in the presence of a lady.” She waved at Kayla ignoring me.
“Seriously.”
“It’s Sunday, dear,” Mom replied as if that made everything make sense.
“Yeah, I come over every Sunday.”
I heard a small giggle behind me, but I didn’t turn.
“Oh, come on, Nick,” my dad stated while stopping on the bottom step, his salt and pepper brows high.
“You mean…” I couldn’t repeat it. This was fucking disastrous.
“Like I said it’s Sunday.”
“Shut up,” I said at the same time a small voice asked, “Do you only have sex on Sunday?” I spun and glared at Kayla hoping she got my what-the-fuck face. I didn’t want to be talking about my parents and sex, like ever.
“No dear, Sunday is a bonus. We try to squeeze one in before Nick comes around.” I groaned, and I think for the first time since I was a teenager heat flooded my cheeks. This was fucking mortifying.
“That’s amazing you still have such a healthy relationship.”
“Kayla,” I groaned out moving over toward her and slapping a hand over her mouth. Those bright blues were laughing at me. She mumbled against my palm and my mom moved to bat my arm away from her face.
“Welcome, Kayla. I’m Jenny and this is Rod. It’s lovely to meet you.” I swear to God she was holding back laughter as she shook their hands.
Thankfully the rest of the afternoon was very boring considering. We talked and ate. And not once did my parents bring up her father. And I hadn’t even warned them to not to.
When Kayla followed Mom to help clean up, my father and I ventured into the sitting room where he should have been hours ago.
“She’s a pretty little thing.” I glanced toward the kitchen,
Kayla was talking to Mom as she dried a dish.
“I really like her.”
“I can tell.”
“What? How?”
“I have two eyes, son. And you’ve never brought a girl home not since Beth. This looks promising.” He sipped a beer and crossed his legs. For a guy who was over sixty he looked pretty good. He didn’t have a spare tire, he still had all his hair it just wasn’t its original color. And he could obviously still—nope, not going there.
“She’s younger than me. You think that will bother her.” We hadn’t broached the subject yet. I was thirty-five and I knew she was about twelve years younger than me. Would it matter in the long run? I sure as fuck hoped not.
“Age is just a number. What matters is what burns between the two of you. The rest is just details, Nick. Make sure… well… she’s not in it for her father, is she?” I loved my dad I really did, but that question stunk.
“Dad,” I growled leaning forward and placing my elbows on my knees. “She wants nothing to do with him. We’ve got that part sorted.” We kind of did. I knew Kayla was honest and wholesome, so there was no way she was working for her father to get my land. Was there? Nope, I pushed that doubt away.
“Well then. May you have more sex than your mother and I.”
I cursed up a storm, threw a pillow at him, and stalked out of the room. He was going to scar me for life, and I’d never get Kayla back not that I could blame her. The girl probably thought we were all certifiable as it was.
Kayla
Nick and his parents had shown me a glimpse of something today that I really wanted. I knew growing up that my parents were not the norm. They were not the lovey-dovey type, but I did think they loved each other. That was until I turned twelve and my mother announced she was pregnant. I remember my father’s scathing words as he looked at her like she was the scum beneath his shoe. The words he used to describe my mother shattered my little heart. Who speaks to someone they love like that? No-one did, he didn’t love her or me or Damien when he came along. I was glad Damien was sent away to boarding school even if he was only twelve. He didn’t need to see the aftermath, he didn’t need to witness his father’s fall.