Romance: Bad Boy Romance: Rough Play - A British Football Romance (Alpha Male Romance) (New Adult Sports Romance)

by Tia Siren

  “You will. I’m not used to it too. This is the first time I’ve loved another person, and I’m glad that I do,” he replied.

  She nodded, feeling happy with the way everything panned out. They kissed for a while, cuddling up to one another and enjoying their presence.

  The two of them arranged to get married after that. Gaius made sure that Hilda’s mother was taken care of, and soon she was treated by the best medical professionals out there. He made sure that all of the bills were taken care of, and soon her mother was back to health. Her mother was happy to be alive, and she immediately approved of her and Asch together. Gaius was very nice as well, and even Hilda’s mother thought that he was attractive.

  The two of them continued to explore their love for one another, and Hilda realized that she learned something that was more important than anything else. That was acceptance, a concept that she never really realized could be a problem for her. She definitely enjoyed the feelings that she got from this, and she knew that although the path was rocky at first, they would be okay with whatever would come about.

  The wedding was set a year from when they realized their love, and a year came quickly. Her mother had recovered back to health, and she was sitting in the front row, watching as her daughter started to walk down the aisle. She could feel her tears welling in her eyes as Gaius took her hand and escorted her to the front. She didn’t have anyone else as a father figure, and Gaius took care of both Asch and her equally. When the preacher said those words, the two of them knew that this was it, that this was the start of the rest of their lives.

  The ceremony went without a hitch, and Hilda felt happiness in ways she never expected to feel. The two of them sealed their marriage with a kiss, and it was obvious that they would be able to have the life that they both wanted without fail. It would be okay, and it would always be better for the two of them. After all, they would continue to learn acceptance and understand one another thoroughly. It would be a journey they both would enjoy, and after a while they would finally understand the way things were, and they would continue to have a great experience with one another no matter what. After a bit of time, the two of them started to grow to love one another in ways they never expected, learning the core elements of acceptance and understanding their feelings.

  The two of them did an action that was special, and that was living happily ever after. Hilda never thought that she would get to this point in her life, for she always thought that happily ever afters were for those lucky girls, but right now, at that moment, as she got married to him on that platform, she realized that she finally did make her dream come true, and she would live happily ever after - no matter what.

  *****

  THE END

  WESTERN BILLIONAIRE Romance - Gold in Texas

  Three months and I was finally hitting my stride. I could feel my hands starting to grow tougher, and my legs were growing stronger. The best part of the whole thing was being able to ride a horse almost as much as I ever wanted.

  “Hey Jennie,” Larry shouted from the barn, “Buck said it would be a good time to get the livestock into the barn. Said there’s a storm comin’ up, and he don’t wanna see nothin’ bad happen.”

  “I’m on it,” I shouted back. It wasn’t hard, herding in the few animals they kept on the ranch. Just a couple milking cows, some chickens, and a few horses. I didn’t mind herding them in, either.

  Larry already had the door open for all the animals as I shooed them in. Only took about fifteen minutes or so.

  I could already see the storm off the plains, a crack of thunder lit the sky in the distance and the blackened clouds rolled slowly in our direction. I never liked storms where I grew up, but out here it was like watching a masterpiece unfold.

  I can’t say I ever really believed in a greater power until I got the chance to look out along the horizon and view the perfect simplicity of the landscape.

  “Jennie, you gonna to get inside? I bet Mike is already lookin’ for ya,” said Larry, peeking over my shoulder.

  “Don’t know why he’d be lookin’ for me, not like I have any chores left for the day,” I said as I wheeled around toward the house.

  It was a small house, barely two stories. The white walls displayed their age as though rings on a tree and the windows were still a bit dirtied from the harsh winds that swept up dust from all over.

  I walked proudly toward the home while pulling off my work gloves. I flexed my hand and could feel the ache of a hard day’s work in them.

  The screen door screeched open as I tugged on it, and walked inside with my boots clattering on the hard wood floor. The inside was much different from the outside, the wood flooring was clean, and most of it was covered in rugs. The furniture was in good repair and was some of the most comfortable I’d ever slept on. The kitchen was a bit older, but nothing was broken, so there was no need to change it out.

  “Mike, what you want now?” I asked, parading toward the kitchen.

  Mike was sitting behind the round table in the corner, with papers sprawled out all over. He had a small pair of reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. I would have laughed if I hadn’t known how much he hated being made fun of for his poor near-sightedness.

  “Jennie, what’s this I hear about you gettin’ all riled up about the neighbors?” he asked calmly.

  I pulled out a chair and plopped myself down in it.

  “Listen, the Cobb’s keep on grazin’ their cattle on your land. I can’t help it if a shotgun goes off in my vicinity that scares them all off.”

  Buck leaned against the door frame behind me, all six and a half feet of him. If I didn’t know him, then I would’ve made sure to steer clear of his path whenever possible. But, knowing that he was about as quick to anger as a rock was to flying, I always like having him around.

  Mike stifled a laugh, but Buck uttered a raucous.

  “Did you really scare the Cobb’s ‘stock off with a shotgun, Jennie?” Buck asked.

  “All I know is a loud shot rang out from my vicinity, as I said. Nothin’ wrong with loud noises,” I followed up with calmly.

  I kicked my boots up onto the table and leaned back in my chair. It didn’t look like Mike was having any of it tonight. He reached over and smacked my boots off the table.

  “Geez, Jennie, didn’t yer ma raise ya right? Keep yer feet off the table,” he started. “Now look, Cobb says he’s getting’ sour milk now. Wants me to buy him a new cow, ya know how much money I have to afford something like that?”

  I paused to think about it.

  “You don’t have to think that hard, I got nothing, Jennie. Hell, I’m barely scraping by as it is with this. If I don’t get really lucky here soon enough, then I’m going to have to sell off the whole thing.”

  I sighed.

  “Listen, I’m sorry Mike. I won’t do nothin’ like that again. Maybe I can go over and ease things with the Cobb’s as well. That is, if you want me to.”

  Mike nodded and waved his hand, trying to get me to leave.

  I took the hint and clomped my way out of the kitchen. Buck followed close behind.

  I sat myself down on the porch of the house; a swinging bench was tied up along one of the rafters and was by far the best seat for watching passing storms.

  Buck must’ve had the same idea because he took a seat right next to me.

  “You know he likes you,” Buck said.

  I rolled my eyes like always.

  “Buck, that man would like a 600-pound gorilla if it could solve all his financial trouble. I’m neither. I might be the only woman on the ranch, but proximity is no excuse.”

  Buck started rocking slowly; I took a moment to kick off my boots. I thought of the first time I put those things on, and they killed my feet, but now it was like wearing a cloud if a cloud weighed my feet down like a brick.

  Mike bought those for me the day I started working here. I don’t think he approved of my hiking boots; he wanted me in real solid leather that
wouldn’t wear out after a couple of weeks of real labor. He was right, and I knew it. My old hiking boots wouldn’t have lasted past the first week with the amount of walking he had me doing.

  “Hey Buck, why does Mike keep going out to that old drill in the yard? Does he really think he’s goin’ to strike oil out here?”

  Buck thought for a moment.

  “I think Mike has a lot of hope. Fella came through here about five years ago, telling him his land might be ripe for the picking. I think they were trying to buy the plot off him for cheap, so they could bring in some big equipment and get it out themselves.

  “Hell, the neighbors to the north sold off their plot. For a while we saw truck after truck of heavy equipment driving through, dropping off drills and all that junk for digging. They must’ve dug up every inch of that land and didn’t find a dang thing.”

  “So Mike just keeps thinking he might get lucky, and the professionals missed something?”

  “Well, from what I hear, it’s a bit of a tricky business. People miss things all the time around here. I always bet on Mike, he’s a good guy, knows what he wants. That’s better than most.”

  “As long as he doesn’t ask me to work the thing, I won’t get in his way.”

  I sat for a while and watched the storms pass. The twilight turned to darkness, and the only light that could be seen was that distant light of the barn.

  Rain came down in pellets, soaking everything that wasn’t covered in seconds. I listened to the rain pelt against the old wood siding on the house, and the thunder that roared its way over the plain. It was a peaceful raucous.

  As the rain settled into a constant drizzle we were all called in for supper, Buck and I met up with a drenched Larry and filed in around the table.

  Mike pulled a couple steaks off the stove top and served them up. He knew how to cook them well, and it tasted like I could still hear the cow mooing. I can’t say I liked it at first; he always made me try something a few times before giving up on me. I would usually cave in and give it a try, and then hate it for a while. That was just how life was on the ranch. Larry and Buck felt like the brothers I always wanted, and Mike was always the responsible caretaker.

  It brought up memories from the city; nasty old thoughts that would consume me for a while before fading away. I started thinking about my sister and wondered what she might be up to. It was too soon to call, though. I needed more time to leave the old life behind before letting them know where I was.

  “Alright, tomorrow is a big day. Jennie and I gotta head into town and fix a few things with the bank. Buck, you and Larry check the fields and make sure this storm hasn’t destroyed anything we need. We should be back before noon.”

  I nodded and finished up supper, being careful to leave a little behind for Rusty. I set my plate to the floor, and Rusty jumped up like she was a puppy, and the old dog lapped on the plate, being careful not to spill a thing.

  “Rusty, why can’t you just eat the food I buy for you?” Mike sighed.

  I pulled the plate off the floor when the pooch was done with it and tossed it in the country basin that had dishes already piling up inside.

  “I’m goin’ to get a shower before bed, G’night guys,” I said.

  “Night, Jennie,” they all replied.

  I stripped off my dirty shirt while walking up the stairs; I doubted any of them would be staring at me from the kitchen. My muscles were tender, so I rubbed them as I walked to my room.

  It was smaller than I was used to, but plenty of space for a dresser and a bed. Although, that’s about all I had, I barely had use for the dresser to be honest.

  I grabbed my towel and headed off to the bathroom. The room was a bit cramped, with the ceiling angling low and at places, you had to duck under a beam. But, the claw footed tub was perfect for showers and soaking. Granted, I had to work my hardest to avoid it becoming a peep show for the boys downstairs.

  I always gave a quick look for any new holes that may have popped up in the walls since I’d last been in. For the most part, they stopped, but it never hurt to double check.

  The water warmed me to the bone. And, I took a little extra time for myself in the shower. I could feel my muscles were getting stronger in all the right places, my skin seemed firmer than when I first moved out this way. I maybe have been a bit curvier than most women, but I don’t think anyone ever minded a little extra curve.

  I wasn’t overweight by any means, though, just rounder. I liked my body, though, even though I always found a new bruise that would need nursing or a new cut that needed bandaging.

  I tugged at my towel on the nearby hook while shutting off the water. It was quite steamy in the bathroom, so I took my time drying off. I heard a knock at the door.

  “Jennie, you almost done,” I heard Buck ask.

  “Gimme one second, Buck,” I replied.

  I wrapped my towel around me as best I could, and gathering up my things, exited the bathroom. I swear Buck’s eyes grew three sizes while he stared.

  I couldn’t help but giggle. I tip-toed quickly back to my room, trying to keep my feet from freezing on the cool wood floors.

  Once back in my room I clicked the lock, and threw off my towel, collapsing into my comfy bed. I wasn’t in the mood to do anything else, I was relaxed, and the sound of the rain pattering against the roof of my bedroom was like a melodic choir, drumming me off to sleep.

  2.

  “Alright Larry, you’re in charge of the ranch for the day. We’ll be back before noon.”

  We rode out in Mike’s old pickup. I was amazed the thing still ran as well as it did; it looked like it had been put through its fair share of paces.

  About an hour trip from the ranch was a small town, maybe a couple of hundred people in total lived inside and most only lived there to take care of their shops.

  I enjoyed the charm of the small town, nothing of note really happened, so it was relaxing. It was nothing compared to home.

  Mike parked beside the road, and we walked for the most part. The first stop was the bank, and I didn’t want to go in at first, but Mike said it’d be better than waiting around outside. So I followed him to meet with the manager.

  Mr. Grant was quite lenient when it came to paying back loans and was always looking to make things right, rather than make money. I took a seat next to Mike, opposite Mr. Grant.

  “Mike, I’m not seeing much in the way of revenue here, ya got three extra hands doing the work of one, and they’re bleeding ya dry.”

  Mr. Grant still liked to tell it how it is.

  “They’re family; I can’t let ‘em go. Besides, it’s almost time for harvest, and I’ll need the extra people.”

  “Ya don’t need three people to work your farm, Mike.”

  “Okay listen, how much do I owe you.”

  Mr. Grant went quiet; he was still a shrewd businessman.

  “Mike, I’ve been lookin’ over your accounts. I don’t think you’ll be able to handle the fee this month if you still want to be able to eat.”

  Mike let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. I could see he was forcing back a headache.

  “Can you give me a little more time to get the money together then,” Mike asked.

  “I can see what I can do, but at this rate, you have about two months before someone is going to send you a notice.”

  “They’re going to foreclose on the farm?”

  “They’ll do just that, Mike. It’s everything you got anyway.”

  “Then I’ll just have to find a way to come up with the money. Don’t suppose you know any rich ladies lookin’ to pay for a poke, would you?”

  “Ugh, you’re as incorrigible as ever, Mike. Get outta here.”

  With that, he ushered us out. I kept my mouth shut as best I could, but I doubt it really helped anything.

  “What else are we in town for, Mike,” I asked.

  “Well, I need a couple things for dinner for the next week, let’s get that and head on out.”r />
  I nodded and followed along like a baby duckling following its mother. The sun was starting to take away all the rain from the previous night; I liked the smell that lingered in the air. It was all so fresh.

  A few minutes later and we were back in the truck, ready to return home with our spoils, and possibly bad news. A short ways down the road, off the beaten path, Mike pulled over.

  “Don’t tell the boys about the bank meeting,” he said.

  He wasn’t even looking at me, almost like he was ashamed to say it.

  “I don’t talk about what you do in town, and I’m sure they’d be jealous to find out what we do on the way back.”

  I unbuttoned the top of my shirt, showing a little more skin and hoping that Mike would look over.

  “You got that right, Jennie,” he said, turning toward me with a hungry look in his eye.

  I hopped from the truck with a blanket in my hand and threw it out over the tall grass beside me. I doubted more than two people used this road on a weekly basis, us being one of them.

  I tore off my boots and threw them aside while Mike started pulling his still buttoned shirt over his head.

  I remember the first time we did this, I was a little drunk still a month back, but I knew that I wanted Mike the moment I saw him.

  He was blessed with good looks that he didn’t realize he had. His chiseled jaw could cut glass, and his muscular build would always make me a little wet when he would walk by.

  I even liked his tousled hat-hair when he threw off his cap. And I knew I liked him even though I did like to take poke fun at him for his reading glasses. It was a surprise when I found him peeking at me through a hole in the bathroom one day. I remember confronting him about it right away, but I never covered up the hole.

  I felt like I couldn’t undress fast enough, and I never minded the help. I undid the clasp on my jeans, and he struggled to pull them all the way off.

  I didn’t bother wearing underwear today since I knew we were riding into town. I liked to surprise him when I could. He could tell how turned on I was with just a glance.