He doesn’t stop, pulling back and thrusting again, savagely hammering my hips with his cock as his lips kiss and nibble on my throat and neck. I’m moaning; it’s so damn hot and good to feel him on this edge of control, pounding me but holding back just enough to make sure I’m feeling good too. His hands let go of my wrists, and I clutch at his forearms, swept away by his strength as he fucks me harder and harder.
I’m growling, moaning his name, but the belt muffles my noises just enough. James isn’t quiet, though, grunting and growling as he ruts against me, his cock pumping in and out almost in a blur.
I don’t know how we last, but we do. It must be the three orgasms I’ve already had, but sweat breaks out on our skin as James fucks me with all his might, my whole body shaking as he pounds me again and again. I clutch at him, so overwhelmed that I’m not able to even wrap my legs around him but needing him closer. I scratch his forearms, and James loses it, holding me down and fucking me wildly, his eyes wide and animalistic. I love it—I’m the only woman who can do this to him, and he’s all mine.
I feel him swell, and I squeeze him the best I can, begging him to take us the rest of the way. My pussy clenches over and over, my body’s trembling with exhaustion and overload, and James knows it. With a final primal scream of conquest, he slams deep inside me, coming hard. I scream, too, biting down hard on the belt in my mouth as black stars shoot across my eyes. It’s intense, so intense of an orgasm that my heart feels like it’s stopping in my chest, but James has me, I’m . . .
“Hey.”
I smile and reach up a weak hand to cup his face tenderly. “I think you fucked me unconscious. But no bragging.”
James exhales, laughing softly. “I wasn’t sure you were okay there for a second. You good?”
I pull him up into my arms, holding him tight. “Yes. Just hold me, carry me to bed . . . and in the morning, I’m making pancakes.”
“With syrup?” he asks, and I can feel his cock twitch even as it softens inside me to slip out. I chuckle, knowing exactly what he’s thinking about. “What?”
“With syrup,” I promise. “Even, right?”
James gathers me in his arms, burying his face in the crook of my neck. “Even. I love you.”
CHAPTER 28
JAMES
It’s been a few weeks of bliss. I should be on my way out to the ranch, but I already told everyone I’d be in a little late because it’s a very special day. Mark and Luke are okay with it; things are looking good as we prep for the fall sale. We’re in a slow period, which is good for my training.
But today, at least right now, isn’t about training or ranches. It’s about Sophie, and as I stir the eggs to get them scrambled just right, I hear the shower shut off. “Hey, darlin’, food’ll be on in a few minutes!”
“Sounds good to me,” Sophie calls back. I was tempted to join her in the shower, but she is on a schedule. “So, what should I wear?”
“White shirt, skirt, and pigtails for your first-day photos!” I tease, making her laugh.
“I meant what should I wear for class, not what I should wear for your wet dreams,” Sophie says. “Fuck it, jeans and a T-shirt it is.”
I’m about to protest, but Sophie comes out, and my words die on my lips. She’s tied the shirt at her waist, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a rodeo T-shirt with my name on it, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone wear it so well. “Where’d you get that rag?”
“Oh, Roxy bought it and sent it to me. Said she found it at some garage sale. Told me the guy’s a total loser, but I think he’s kinda cute,” she says with a wink.
I nod, unable to contain a smile as I spoon the eggs onto her plate and fetch the toast from the toaster. “Well, I’d say he’s one handsome man. Bet he’s got a total babe for a girlfriend.”
“Oh, he doesn’t deserve her in the least; she’s way too hot for him,” Sophie teases, smiling as I sit down. “You know I’d change if you really want.”
I shake my head, taking her hand. “Darlin’, you wear whatever you want. Just be careful—you might have some jealous classmates.”
“Oh, I figure as soon as they find out I’m dating a famous rodeo star, the claws are going to come out hard and vicious,” Sophie says without a care. “I’ve dealt with that before. Roxy taught me how to deal with the haters.”
“Perhaps, but it’d be nice to have some friends,” I point out, before shaking my head. “On second thought, tell everyone you’re taken, especially the guys, so they know to leave you alone. You’re mine.”
Sophie laughs around her mouthful of toast and egg, swallowing with a gulp before daintily kissing my knuckles. This girl. “As if anyone could compare to you, Cowboy.”
I laugh right along. “Come on, let’s get you ready for your first day.”
After a yummy breakfast, we both head out. I give her a sweet kiss and a smack on the ass before helping her into her newly purchased truck. It’s old enough that it shows some character and history as a work truck, with a scratched-up bedliner and a few dings along one side. But I had a grumpy mechanic in town give it a once-over, and he said it’ll go another hundred thousand miles if we take good care of it.
That was good enough for Sophie, who said it was perfect for driving around to ranches for work and getting to school in relative comfort. I agree, and besides, it lets Doc have his brown beast of a truck back.
I bang the hood twice, and she winks at me, moving her fingers in a walking motion. I see her mouth, “Even?” and laugh. I turn, jokingly rubbing my ass in my work jeans as I slowly make my way to my own truck, giving her the show she loves. As she pulls out, she honks the horn and gives me a thumbs-up. I laugh and blow her a kiss.
Driving out to the ranch, I think about the last few weeks and how great everything has been. Sophie and I have settled into a bit of a routine, spending almost every night together at her house. We’d decided to extend the rental agreement on it since it was so convenient for school, Doc’s office, and the ranch.
It means getting up a little earlier, but Mark and Luke have been good about it. I think Luke’s been happy to have the bunkhouse to himself again.
Anything that lets me spend as much time as possible with Sophie works for me, so early morning drives out to the ranch have just become my new normal. Like a regular Joe commuting to work, only my work happens to be on the family ranch.
Turning in the gate, I head straight to the barn to get busy, but I’m stopped by Luke, who’s feeding breakfast to the horses. “How was she?” he asks, looking up. “Excited or nervous or both?”
I grin; Luke looks like he’s a little excited himself. “She was good, but probably both. We’ll hear all about her first day tonight, when she comes out for her celebration dinner.”
Luke smiles, tossing a little hay in my direction. “Damn, James. I still don’t know how you wrangled that one. She’s way too good for a plug-ugly fucker like you.”
I punch his shoulder and toss the hay toward the horses. “I know, asshole. You don’t have to keep reminding me. And for damn sure, don’t remind her. I try to keep her busy so she doesn’t realize what a degenerate I am.”
Luke laughs, raising one eyebrow. “I can imagine how you keep her busy. And I don’t think you’re as much a degenerate as you once were. Think maybe you’re finally growing up quite nicely. Taking after your big brother.”
He preens a bit, so I have to torment him back. “Yep, Mark’s a hell of an example to live up to.”
Luke snorts, threatening me with the still half-full bucket of horse feed. “Little shit . . . I could still take you, you know?” He dances around a bit, putting his fists up and circling them around jokingly.
“Like hell you could,” I joke. “Remember, while you’ve been sitting around the bunkhouse getting lazy, I’ve been training and riding.”
I pop into a rough fighter stance, and it’s on . . . brother style, meaning we mostly just swat at each other, ruffling feathers, and a few open-handed sla
ps to the shoulders and stomachs. I have been training, but Luke’s no slouch, and my hand thumps off iron-hard stomach more than once.
It’s nothing to really hurt each other, just burning off steam and connecting in some mixed-up macho way that no man really understands; we all just do it because it works.
It’s only been a few seconds of tussling when Mark’s voice booms and grabs our attention. “My money’s on Luke.”
I throw my hands up in the air, turning and glaring at Mark as Luke takes the opportunity to kick me in the ass. “What the hell, man?”
Mark leans against a post, smirking as I rub my ass. “Luke’s got more experience, wise in his old age. He fights strategically so he doesn’t tire himself out, unlike you who is just bouncing around like a damn rabbit wasting energy. And Luke doesn’t get distracted enough to get kicked in the ass.”
I bounce a little more, bobbing and weaving just to prove how fast I am. “Damn right I’m fast. Fast, strong, and agile. Just what I need for those bulls!”
Luke puffs up, stepping past me to confront Mark. “Hey, you calling me old, brother? You’re older than me, old man.”
Luke glances back, and I meet his eyes, no further communication needed as it’s suddenly me and him against Mark.
Two against one, just like the old days. Mark laughs, more jovial than I’ve heard him in months, and it’s on like Donkey Kong.
We move in a coordinated effort, one that we’ve likely done dozens of times before, but it’s not long before Mark has bested us both. He’s done this hundreds of times himself, and knows how to not get cornered or surrounded.
So, it’s the same result as it’s been for at least the past twelve years, a stalemate that has all three of us laughing by the end. Plopping onto a bale of hay, I continue my trash talk. “One of these days, Mark, you’re going to find yourself on your ass with the two of us standing above you.”
Mark grins, wiping his forehead. “Actually, I’m sure that’s true. But the important thing to remember is,” he says as he reseats his baseball cap, looking at both Luke and me to make sure we’re paying attention, “the important thing to remember is that it wasn’t today.”
He gives us a middle-finger salute, laughing as he struts out proud as a peacock while Luke and I are still catching our breaths.
I look over at Luke, and he’s grinning too. It feels good, like old times, and I realize how much we needed that. “You know, we should chase him down to the damn pond and make him jump in like we used to.”
“Yeah . . . but later,” Luke says with a laugh. “How about Saturday? That way he can’t complain we’re just slacking off.”
With a grunt, I rise to my feet, dusting off my butt. “Sounds good. Well, work won’t get done if we don’t do it. See you later?”
Luke nods and heads back over to the horses. “Yep, dinner.”
Luke gets one last swat in as I walk by, knocking my hat off my head, but in a slick move I couldn’t repeat if I tried, I manage to catch it and play it off like I’d done it intentionally.
“Oooh, check those skills. Hand-eye coordination at its finest. It’s like I’m famous athlete or something.”
“About as famous as my left testicle,” Luke jokes, giving me a middle-finger salute just like Mark’s. I head out feeling lighter, brighter, more settled here on the ranch than I’d ever thought possible.
After a hard day’s work, I head to the house even though I haven’t heard the dinner bell yet. I want to clean up a bit for Sophie’s celebration dinner before she gets here, but when I get close to the house, I see her truck is already here, neatly parked next to mine.
I stop in the kitchen doorway, taking in the scene in front of me. Mama has out dishes of flour, an egg concoction, and chicken spread across the counter, and both her and Sophie have on aprons.
“Now, what you have to do is make sure you get your egg wash all over, or else your flour’s gonna have holes in it,” Mama explains. “You said you’ve done that before, right?”
“I did fish, and it was a tempura batter, but yeah, kind of,” Sophie says. Mama glances at me and smiles, but Sophie’s concentrating, so it’s a total surprise when I swoop in and grab her in a hug from behind, picking her up and spinning her away from the counter so as not to disturb Mama’s setup. I’m no fool; I know better than to do that.
Sophie whoops loudly, swatting at my hands around her waist. “James, what are you doing? Put me down.”
“Fine, but it’ll cost you,” I joke. “And no asking Mama for help.”
“Deal, deal! Now, set me down, or else you’re never going to have dinner ready!” she laughs. I set her down, turning her once more so that she’s facing me, and kiss her lightly, respectful that my Mama is standing right there. I wipe a smudge of flour off her nose and then grin.
Sophie hugs me again before stepping back. “And hello to you too. Is that what it costs? A kiss. Cheap.”
“Well, a kiss and something else. Maybe we’ll see about that later.”
I draw out the word maybe to make her remember her earlier promise to consider a bit of booty play. We’ve done a lot of fun and crazy things in the last few weeks, including christening every piece of furniture and every room in the house, along with her new truck, but we haven’t breeched that barrier. I might be having just as much fun teasing her about it, though, because every time we joke about it, she blushes so prettily. It’s definitely on the short list of things to do.
I see the moment she realizes my meaning, sparks lighting in her eyes. “Sure. Even?”
I chuckle gruffly and shake my head. “Hell no, woman. Never mind.”
Mama is looking at us, amusement written all over her face. I give her my most dazzling smile, but she’s not having it. “Nope, that slick charm ain’t working on me. You’d best get out of here so Sophie and I can make dinner.”
I pause, glancing at the counter again. “What are you two making?”
Mama grins at me, knowing I already know the answer and that it’s a major one. “I’m teaching Sophie how to make my famous fried chicken. Now get out of here before my oil gets too hot.”
I nod my head, stopping to give Sophie a quick kiss on the forehead and then moving over to do the same to Mama, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”
I’m almost out of the kitchen when I hear Mama call my name, and I turn back to have her cross over to give me a hug of her own. “James, you did well with this one. Lord knows I didn’t think you ever would, much less be the first of your brothers to find someone. But sometimes fate has its own plan for us.”
I nod, looking at Sophie and seeing the shine of tears in her eyes. “Indeed it does, Mama.”
Mama turns back to the chicken, and I mouth to Sophie, “I love you.”
She blows me an air kiss that I fake capture and stick in my back pocket with a pat.
Making sure Mama’s not looking, I wiggle my butt at her a bit, too, grinning like a fool. She giggles and waves me out, getting back to work.
Dinner is better than I ever could have dreamed. The only thing missing is Pops, but something tells me he’s sitting in that vacant chair, listening in as Sophie tells us all about her first day of vet school.
“Wasn’t much, actually, mostly the paperwork side of things, but I did get to catch Doc’s speech,” she says with a laugh. “He pretended like he didn’t know me at all, and you should have seen that getup. Looked like an old Gary Cooper movie or something. All he was missing was a bandanna around his neck.”
We ooh and aah over the fried chicken, proclaiming it the best batch ever. “I’m going to have to work harder tomorrow for training, I just can’t help myself,” I say as I reach for my third piece. I give Sophie a cartoonish lovestruck look. “Must be because it has a little extra touch of love in it.”
Mark grunts, rolling his eyes. “Man, is all your game that cheesy? Sophie, what the hell do you see in this little shit?”
He’s totally kidding, and she laughs, but answers see
mingly honestly, “Maybe I like a little cheese? Keeps things playful and fun. It’s a lot better than a stick up the ass. Maybe you should try it sometime?”
We all bust up at that idea. The thought of Mark being silly and goofy is so foreign. I think he was born serious and never considered being any other way. Mark wags a finger at Sophie, mock gruffly. “I’m gonna take a hard pass on being like this jackass over here. But as long as you like him, no returns allowed. You broke him, you keep him.”
“Oh my God, did you just make a joke?” Luke asks, smacking his chest like he’s having a heart attack. “Bucket list . . . complete!”
“He did,” I confirm. “Mark has made a joke. I didn’t think it was possible. Still, Luke, you need a bigger bucket list.”
Dinner continues, joking and fun, comfortable camaraderie at every turn. Sophie is just as much a part of the family as we are, and with every comment it seems more and more like our little circle is complete again.
At least, it is for me. After helping Mark and Luke clear the table, Mama chases me and Sophie out, telling Luke it’s his day to help clean up. “But, Mama—” he starts.
“When you get yourself a woman worthy of learning my chicken recipe, you can get excused once in a while too,” Mama says. “Now fetch a dish towel!”
Sophie and I laugh as we walk out into the darkness, hand in hand. “So, your work went well?” she asks quietly. “You all were so interested in what I did today, I felt like I never got a chance to ask.”
“It did . . . and before you ask, I’m ready for the fall circuit too,” I reply. “The training area Mark helped me set up in the mechanical barn is getting good use. I was able to do three sets of six one-armed chins today.”
“Thought those forearms were looking a little extra muscly,” Sophie jokes, patting my arm. “Remind me to come out and ogle you getting all sweaty.”
“Anytime you want . . . I’d love for you to work out with me. I won’t hold you to the one-armed chins, though,” I tease. “Also, remember I’m in Springfield this weekend, but I’ll be gone and back before you know it. Give you a good chunk of study time while I’m gone at least.”
Buck Wild (Bennett Boys Ranch Book 1) Page 24