Battle

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as he unbuttons my jeans with one hand. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m gonna make love to you for the first time.”

I smother a moan, lifting my hips, as his hand dives under my panties. “Oh.”

“Yes, oh.”

How can we make love for the first time? I doubt sex with Battle could feel any different than it always has, because it’s always amazing.

Battle takes his time undressing me. He kisses me starting at my toes, working his way slowly up my legs, across my belly, and up to my breasts, where he stops and pays close attention to each of them, before trailing kisses up my neck. Only after he’s kissed every inch of my skin, does he ease into me.

My body immediately accepts him. He smiles, a smile I’ve grown to love beyond reason. The one he only shares with me. The one that makes my heart race, my skin burn, and butterflies dance in my tummy.

“I think I loved you from the moment I first saw you,” he whispers. “I’m yours Faye, for as long as you’ll have me. No more runnin’.”

With each slow, sensuous movement, pushing me to the brink of satisfied bliss, I understand this is the first time we’ve ever made love…And it’s perfection.

I’ll have him forever.

I spend the remainder of the weekend with Battle and our rodeo family, who are all thrilled Battle and I are back together. He’s crowned Rodeo Champion, marking his first win since we separated.

Austin gives me shit about coming back. I tease him about how he better get to practicing, because I’ll be sticking around.

Sunday afternoon, we leave Nebraska and Battle drives my Mustang back to Kansas. We stop at my house so I can change out of the t-shirt and jeans I’ve been in for two days, and pack a bag.

While I’m in my room changing, I hear the doorbell and then I hear Wyatt. “What are you doin’ here? Where’s Faye?”

I’ve ignored his phone calls all weekend. I’m not surprised he’s showing up in person to talk.

I quickly clasp my bra, throw on a clean shirt and go to the door. The two men stand toe to toe, appraising each other. Before a fight breaks out, I step between them, placing a hand on Battle’s chest. “Can you give us a minute please?”

“Nope,” he says, his eyes never leaving Wyatt’s.

“Please?”

His posture relaxes as he steps back. I take Wyatt outside. Battle knows what happened with Wyatt, including me almost kissing him. His agreeing didn’t come easy for him and I need to make sure I’m clear with Wyatt.

“Why is he here after what he did to you?” Wyatt asks.

I snap, “Why are you here after what you did to me?”

His palm presses into his forehead and through his hair once. “To apologize.” He pauses and I wait. “I was with Madeline while we were together. She’s an attorney I worked with, and the night I asked you for a break, I did propose to her. She turned me down, because she was taking a job in New York with a big firm, and she knew I’d never leave Kansas. I was heartbroken, and I thought if I could get you back, I would feel better. I drove to your house and asked you to marry me.”

Hearing the truth confirmed hurts a great deal. I don’t want to hear anymore. “Why are you tellin’ me this?”

“Because I know what a douche I was. I shouldn’t have treated you how I did, and I never should’ve proposed with a ring meant for someone else. I’m disgusted with who I used to be, but I’ve honestly changed.”

I glance away, unsure of what to say, but I need him to now there’s no chance for us. “I believe you, but I’m in love with Battle.”

“I know you are, and I realized the other night that I’m in love with Madeline, but I still care about you. And I don’t think Battle deserves you.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I hope I am,” he smiles. “I mean that.”

“I’m happy for you,” I tell him, opening the door to go inside.

He glances over my shoulder to Battle and says, “Treat her right, McCoy.”

Battle smirks, ignoring Wyatt, and closes the door.