“I knew you would be good,” she panted, and he took her lips in a bruising kiss while he started to move her up and down. His hands were gripped tightly on her hips, and he met her with hard, punishing strokes.
She let herself go, loving his strength inside of her, letting him move her in whatever way he wanted. He kept it up, even after he felt her start to climax and heard her moan as she came. He kept it up, moving her up and down, around and over him. He felt her start to climax again, and held her down on him while still moving in and out of her, kissing her as she came, before starting again.
She was limp, but still holding on, and a few minutes later felt herself start to come again. She was surprised that she could; she’d hadn’t ever before. This time he joined her, holding her hips down to his, and made love to her mouth as they came.
He stayed there, holding her on him, kissing her mouth, slowly this time, just moving that tongue of his around hers, playing.
“I knew you would be good,” she said, again, when she could breathe. He smiled against her mouth, eyes enigmatic, and lifted her off of him. He sat up, looked back at her and smiled again. Then he ran his hand through his hair, brushing it from his eyes. He was dangerous, and better than she’d thought he’d be.
#
It was near three in the morning now. She checked the clock before he’d turned her over for more.
“Rafael,” she said, not sure if that was a plea for more, or an I give up. Her hands were holding on to the rail of her bed; his grip on her ass strong and sure. She’d just climaxed and was trying to pull her thoughts together, but he’d moved her into this new position. She wasn’t even sure what position it was.
After the first time and then the second time, she’d conked out. He’d awakened her around 1 a.m. for the third course, kissing his way down her body; initially her mind was still blurred by sleep, but not for long. He was some kind of talented. He moved up and entered her with one smooth thrust. She groaned again, just thinking about the way he’d felt inside her. She’d fallen asleep again afterward, exhausted.
She lay curled on her elbows and knees now, her body positioned in front of him, close to the headboard of the bed; she knew because her hands were holding on tightly to the rail. Her back was to his chest. She could feel him behind her, solid and lean.
She was also positioned at an angle, bent over with her breasts touching the bed; if only she could catch her breath. Nope. She was back on her knees now; his one knee in between her as he pushed smoothly into her, kind of sideways. She moaned. He felt perfect.
He’d removed her arms from the rail and held them by her sides now, wrapped up tightly by his left arm, while he placed his other arm palm-down against the wall to try and get some resistance. He began to thrust in and out of her.
He pushed in again, hard, then harder still, and she groaned; her sound was muffled in part by the bed. He pushed in again, and again, and then again. “Rafael,” she said, and he let go of the wall, bent his head next to her, turned her head to him, and kissed her.
“Yeah?” he whispered, a few seconds later, as he pushed back into her. One hand gripped her breasts now, and his other was at her hip, holding her still, as his mouth opened and moved over hers.
“Oh,” she moaned.
“Yeah, I know,” he whispered against her lips as he pulled out and slid back in her warmth. He kissed her again, lifted his chest, put his hand back on the wall and started again. He didn’t let up until she was saying something, coming again, not even sure of the sounds that spilled from her lips anymore; it was something unintelligible. He moaned, hand against the wall still, pushing one final time into her.
“Rafael,” she said, opening her eyes a few minutes later. He stood, catching his breath, looking down at them, still joined, before moving his eyes to connect with hers.
“What is it?” she said, in between pants. She couldn’t read him.
“Nothing,” he said, pulling out completely. He leaned in and captured her lips again. “It’s nothing,” he said, getting out of the bed and walking over to her bathroom. She followed him with her eyes. He was a sight, covered in sweat, his hair falling into one eye, a body covered in lean muscle. She sighed and closed her eyes. She was some kind of tired again.
#
Nine
Wednesday
Her phone was ringing. Where was it? Where was she? Her mind was one big blur. She’d been dead to the world, more than she usually was. She sat up, still nude, remembering how she’d gotten that way, and smiled. Her body felt stiff and sore. That was nothing new, but it felt different somehow and man, was she energized. She felt ready to tackle the world. The phone had been in her purse and it showed a missed called from Frankie. Her voicemail informed Carter that she, Sandra, and Gwen would be driving up to the ranch this coming Friday to make sure she was okay. It had been two weeks since that crazy wedding breakup attempt. It seemed like forever ago; another time in her life.
She sent each of them a text, telling them she was doing fine. It was the truth; she felt hopeful for the first time in a long while. And all it took was a good screw. No, it was more than that. It was being here, working on the ranch, away from the pressures of having to be all that she couldn’t be. She’d gotten reacquainted with her first love amid this week’s hard and demanding work.
Here it was horses, and being outside; it had always been horses, and the quiet. Here she’d gotten glimpses of the flyaway Carter of old—the one she hadn’t seen since high school, the one who’d grown up here and loved it, the one that didn’t want to sell anymore; not that she ever had. What was she to do about that?
It was no longer about searching for a man. That was for damn sure. After all that had transpired with Bentley, her dad, Gloria and her sisters, followed by her crying jaunt, it was time to figure out what she wanted to do. Really wanted to do. So this time when she got back on her horse, it would be in a direction she was sure of, and one she’d decided for herself. And it was looking like ranching would be her new occupation.
“I want to be a cowgirl,” her 5-year old self used to say to anyone who would listen. She laughed at the memory of herself. She in one of her little cowgirl outfits that her grandmother was always buying for her—the skirt and matching vest with the fringe thingies hanging off. She’d wiggle her hips and those little fringe thingies would dance.
She smiled wistfully. A cowgirl? Really, Carter? How much does that pay? Not enough to live on, that was for sure. What are you going to do, give riding lessons all your life? That’s okay at 23, but at 55, is that all you want to have done with yourself? You’ll be living in poverty. Time to grow up, Carter.
Up. She had horses to feed and trees to trim. There was also more grass to cut. She didn’t want any negative thoughts intruding on her positive mood. She was going to take a trip to see her neighbor, and thank him for last night, for making her feel wanted for the first time in a long time. He had devoured her. That was the best word she could come up with to describe the takeover that had been Rafael.
#
Carter’s phone was ringing again. She recognized the tune: “I smell a Rat.” It was the tune she’d assigned to her sister Savannah. She picked it up.
“Hey,” Carter said.
“Okay, I’ve got you hooked up like a pickup truck,” Savannah said, without so much as a hello. “You are going to be the only female present at our little soiree, besides me, that is. And since I’m off the market, you’ll have them all to yourself. Sherman has invited all the single men he knows and, of course, they all meet my basic criteria; money and a promising future to keep the money coming. So come dressed to impress.”
“You know, I’m tied up that night. So sorry. I can’t make it.”
“I haven’t told you the date yet. The 25th of July. That’s a Saturday night. Be here at 7. I’m not playing with you,” Savannah said in warning.
“Really. I’m not playing with you, either. I’m not coming. Not really interested in m
eeting men, particularly any of those you’d pick.”
“Didn’t hear you tell that to dear old dad or Gloria. And what are you going to do, anyway? You can’t live out on the farm. Go Carter the Cowgirl. The best western show in town. I can’t believe you haven’t outgrown that phase yet.” She laughed for a minute or two. “Oh God, remember when you first came to live with us, the outfits you used to wear? Oh, that was funny,” she said, laughing again. “Wear something nice. I mean it. I didn’t go through all this trouble to have you mess it up.”
“I’m not coming,” Carter said again.
“Right. See you later.”
#
Carter parked in the small drive in front of Rafael’s home. It was a little after lunchtime.
“Hello,” a young woman said, stepping to the doorway after she’d knocked. Beautiful was the best word Carter could come up with to describe her. She was tall with long dark blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, lightly tanned skin; built like one of those Betty Boop characters of old. Carter stood there, dumbfounded for a few seconds.
“Hi,” she said, finally finding her voice. “I was looking for Rafael.”
“He’s in the barn, where he always is, working on something,” the woman said, not unfriendly, but not exactly friendly, either.
“Oh,” Carter said.
“I’m a friend of his. Danielle,” she said, giving Carter the once-over. “I know who you are,” she said. “You’re Crazy Carter from the YouTube video; the one who tried to break up the wedding of her old boyfriend. I showed Rafael the video of you,” she said and smiled. “You must be desperate, huh?” she said, with that same detached tone, neither friendly, or unfriendly.
Carter smiled thinly, turned and looked off in the distance, uncertain of what to do. This was not what she’d expected.
“That’s me,” she said, turning back to face Danielle, a full smile in place. “I just stopped by to thank Rafael for helping look after my family’s property,” she said.
“You plan on staying here for a while?” Danielle asked.
“For a while,” Carter said.
“Hiding out much?” Danielle said.
“Not really. Tell Rafael I stopped by, okay?” she said, deciding she didn’t feel like talking anymore.
“You can tell him yourself. He’s down at the barn, working on something. He’s always working on something,” she said.
“No, that’s okay. Don’t want to interrupt. Just tell him I stopped by,” Carter said.
“Sure,” Danielle said, watching Carter get in her car and drive away. A few minutes later, Rafael returned from the barn. “I thought I saw a car. Who was that?” he asked, coming up to stand beside Danielle. She hadn’t gone back inside.
“That was Crazy Carter. Remember the girl from the YouTube video? I’m surprised I even remembered, but I’ve watched that video so much. It’s one of my favorites and you didn’t tell me you knew her,” she said, watching his face. What was she looking for?
“Oh. What did she want?” he asked, his eyes on Carter’s car as it made a turn onto the main road.
“To thank you for looking after her family’s property.”
He nodded, eyes still on the now empty road. He turned to face Danielle.
“When are you leaving?” he asked.
“I thought you might want to reconsider,” she said, offering up a promising smile.
“Nope. Don’t think so,” he said, unmoved.
“Guess it’s now then,” she said, her eyes flashing angrily now.
“Be careful,” he said, before turning on his heel and heading back to the barn.
#
Don’t even pretend to be hurt, Carter, she thought. You wanted Mr. Bentley Now and he gave that to you and then some, so don’t even start. And why didn’t you speak up, say something to that woman? She asked herself. Speak up and say what?
She knew some women would have been all in that woman’s face, none she knew personally. Gwen, Frankie, and Sandra were a lot like her. Some of her stepsisters had friends that were all about reading people; all loud and in your face. All I-wouldn’t-take-this or put-up-with-that, all I’d-kick-her-ass. She was not that girl, never would be that girl. She didn’t fight in the streets like some wild dog and never over some dude.
She drove on to town because she didn’t feel like going home, with egg on her face again, which was starting to occur with more frequency. It needed to stop.
She had a good time last night. She’d abandoned her worries over her inability to find a man for an evening of fun and sex, and she was thankful for that. Now she resolved to put that quest for a man behind her. Okay, maybe she thought for a second that it might be a fun thing between them—no strings, no commitments, no wedding to break up—but nope. She had Danielle, the human fire extinguisher, to thank for putting out that small spark.
It was a good thing, too, because he wasn’t even close to her type. Okay, the handsome part was her type she conceded. She wasn’t even going to ponder her family’s reaction to someone not in the African American family. And to think they’d been worried about her marrying a white guy. She could hear her dad now: So you’ve rejected the slave owner who came over on the Mayflower, and killed the Indians, in favor of one who swam across the river?
She lowered her window, letting the hot air in, moving her mind to other things. There was so much to do to keep busy on the ranch. She could bury herself in work, and she felt encouraged by the thought of working, but mostly of being here, alone with her horses.
#
Thursday
Rafael stepped out of his barn, heading to the house. It was close to lunch, and he wanted to grab something quick. Then it was into town. He spotted Carter bent under a tree, her nice form now seared permanently into his brain. All but her lower body was blocked from his view. He could hear the sound of her saw, working to clear the tree’s lower trunk of branches.
He’d enjoyed himself immensely the other night in her bed; maybe a little too much, as a matter of fact. She was something—bold, funny, and maybe lethal—as she’d moved over him and under him. He stopped and took a breath. She left him with indigestion—his name for the small churning that started in his chest—whenever he gave any thought to her. He looked over at her again, still stuck under the tree.
At least he was finally free of Danielle and he wondered what Carter thought after having met her. Not that it should matter. He’d been moving away from Danielle from some time now, but Carter?
She wasn’t a long-term option. She had said so herself. No more looking for Mr. Bentley, it was Mr. Bentley Now, and those had been her exact words, which was fine by him. He could do short-term while looking for the long. But long-term was his goal, and he didn’t forget that.
He would have to be honest and up-front with her about his long-term plans if she wanted more of the other night, though.
#
Friday
Carter found Rafael the following day behind the counter of Charlie’s Feed and Supply Store. He was in a serious conversation with its owner, Charlie. Carter had learned that Charlie was a female; attractive, young, and probably single. She shouldn’t have been surprised at seeing Rafael standing next to her, not after Danielle anyway. He apparently was Mr. Bentley Now for a lot of women.
Not her problem, she decided. She put on her best smile and walked over to the counter. She needed more of that special feed for Augustus since Doc Bailey had only given her a week’s supply.
Rafael and Charlie both looked up as she approached.
“Hey,” Rafael said, all friendly.
“Hi,” she responded, all friendly, too.
“Charlie, do you know Carter?” Rafael asked.
“I don’t. Not officially. I’ve heard about you though,” she said, extending her hand to Carter.
“Carter Woodson, this is Charlie, the owner. Carter lives next door to me,” he said.
“The old Woodson property. That’s awesome. What are you
doing with it?” Charlie asked.
“I’m going to get it in shape. My family is putting it up for sale,” Carter said.
“Great piece of land. What can I help you with this morning?” she asked, smiling.
“I need a 50-pound bag of Purina Equine Senior.”
“How are you?” he asked Carter while Charlie rang her up.
Carter handed over her credit card.
“Fine. Keeping busy. Stopped by your house yesterday,” she said, careful to seem nonchalant.
“I heard.”
“Rafael is very useful,” Charlie said, taking Carter’s card from her hand. The look on her face was a little superior, and Carter translated its meaning: I’ve been where you are or where you want to go, it said.
“He’s helped me a bunch on the farm. I’m not sure I would have gotten as much done without him,” Charlie said.
Rafael gave Charlie an odd look.
“Carter, you should get Charlie to talk to you about her horses. She adopts, too,” Rafael said.
“I don’t really adopt. The horses I have were abandoned,” Carter said.
“Sad when that happens,” Charlie said, handing a receipt over to Carter.
“I’ve got to go. See you Charlie, Carter,” Rafael said, moving from around the counter.
Carter watched him leave before she turned back to Charlie, who had a knowing look in her eye.
“He’s a good guy, but not looking for love,” Charlie said.
“That’s good. Neither am I.”
Rafael was gone by the time Carter had made her way outside. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that exchange. It was their first conversation since he’d spent the night. She’d seen him, of course. He’d waved and smiled. So what was her problem? What did she want? Nothing, was the answer to her question. After all, she’d just tried to break up a wedding and lost her job. How about we keep it simple for a while, until we know where we are and what we’re doing, she told herself.
#
Friday, afternoon
When You Fall... Page 13