Texas Big Man

Melena lets out a shuddering breath. “Hi, Bean.”

“I think she likes you,” I say, seeing the way Bean is leaning into the brushing.

“I doubt that.”

Our hands keep moving together, and we stand there until Melena’s breathing is smooth and steady. I don’t want to move away from her body, enjoying the way she’s resting against me. She’s entirely forgotten that she’s using me for comfort, and I like that. Because it feels natural. But I need to get Bean’s saddle.

“I’m going to step away from you,” I say, “so I can saddle her. You okay?”

She nods but doesn’t say anything, which will have to be good enough.

Melena doesn’t move as I step around her and make quick work of saddling Bean. Saddling a horse is second nature to me, and it doesn’t take long. And Melena is stiff when I’m finished. I take the brush from her hand and put it away before swinging up into the saddle and reaching for her hand.

She doesn’t move.

“You comin’ up?” I can see the hesitation on her face, and I smile. “Unless you want to ride by yourself.”

That gets her moving, and she takes my hand. I help her up and settle her in front of me.

Christ.

Her ass is flush against my cock, and there’s no way I’ll be able to hide my arousal from her. But then again, I don’t want to. She already knows that I want her, there’s no point in being shy about it.

Settling one hand around her waist again, I can feel how fast she’s breathing. Probably because she’s terrified, but I’m still hoping that it has a little to do with me. “Okay?”

“Sure,” she says.

I guide us out of the stable at a slow pace, and every muscle in Melena’s body is taut. She’s gripping the saddle horn with both hands, white knuckled. Out of the stable and into the sun, I don’t say anything as I head along the edge of the property. She’ll have some time to relax.

Her fear surprises me. Melena seems unstoppable, impossible to intimidate. Fiery. Sassy. But everyone has something, and the fact that she’s on this horse with me, despite her obvious fear, speaks to her strength and courage.

After a couple of minutes, I notice that she’s not holding on as tightly anymore, and she’s easing back against my body, not sitting rigidly as she did when we first left the barn.

Predictably it makes me stiffer in my pants as I feel more of her soft curves and the way her hips sway as the horse walks, but she says nothing. We ride together around the edge of the property, and I point out where the new pool will be dug and where the guest cottages will be built. There’s a natural spring well that will be the ranch’s source of water, some rolling fields perfect for the grazing horses or other livestock, and even a little copse of trees on my property near a portion of the spring-fed lake.

Melena is quiet as she takes everything in, and still quiet as we complete the circuit of the property. I guide us back into the stable, and into Bean’s stall. We didn’t gallop too hard, but she deserves a good brush-down.

I get off the horse, and help Melena too, pulling her out of the saddle. The motion brings us face to face, her body flush to mine as she slides to the ground. It’s the look on her face that makes me stop. Desire and determination.

Her hands wrap around my neck and pull my face to hers, pressing her lips to mine. It shocks me still for a moment, and then heat races through my bones.

It’s not begging, but I’ll take it. I deepen the kiss, pulling her close and spinning her so she’s pressed against the stall. The need for her is so strong, I have to force my hands to be still. Not to rush. But even with that thought, my hands drag down her shoulders and to her ass, pulling her closer. I can feel the heat between her legs, and I grind my hips into her, seeking some release from the pressure building in my cock. I feel her shift up against me in a silent agreement, and she makes a small, throaty noise as she grinds against me again. I want to taste her skin.

I tilt her head to the side moving my mouth to kiss her pulse, and she moans before pressing her hands to my chest. Even after riding in the hot sun and the sheen of sweat covering her, I love her smell. Floral and rich. I could bottle that and be a god-damn millionaire.

Dragging her lips back to mine, I breathe her in again, tracing her lips with my tongue. Her fingers dig into my shirt, and I love the bite, but then she’s pushing harder. “Wait,” she says against my mouth. “Wait.”