He leans up against the counter across from me, his hands gripping the edge like he’s trying to keep himself in place.
“What’s your mind going about tonight?” I ask, taking another sip of the comforting drink. I look at him over the rim of the cup. He’s only got on a pair of low-riding pajama bottoms, and it takes everything in me to not run my eyes all over him. Or throw myself at him. ’Cause while he’s said flirty things and implied a few others, he still hasn’t acted on anything. Only a few small touches here and there, nothing more. I’m starting to think I’m going insane.
“I was worried you weren't sleeping all right, wanted to make sure you’re good here.” He pauses for a moment and I see him swallow. “You’re good here, right? You’re not going anywhere?” I can see the tension in his body.
“Blake, I’m perfect. Today was wonderful. I felt a little homesick for a moment, but you and this place wiped that away. This place is more than I could have dreamed of.” I watch the tension leave his body. “You sure I’m not taking up your space or something? I know you might have other things you need to do besides watch over me.”
“There is nowhere else I need to be,” he says, letting go of the counter and standing to his full height. I can tell he wants to say more. I want him to say more, but his jaw is locked.
“Okay. Than that’s settled. I’m staying and I’m good. That mean you can sleep now?” I tease, but I like the idea of him so worried about me leaving it was keeping him from sleeping.
“For tonight,” he replies, taking the cup from me and finishing my drink before putting it in the sink. “I have a feeling I won’t be sleeping tomorrow night for a whole other reason.”
Chapter 7
Blake
I wrap my rough hand around my cock, wishing it was Luciana’s soft hand instead of mine. I start to pump, and it’s almost sad that it only takes three pumps and I’m cumming. I moan out her name, thinking about her on her knees in front of me in the shower. I’d been fantasizing about that image all day.
What it would be like if we were really a couple. We’d spend our days out in the field, and afterwards I’d bring her home and wash every inch of her. Along with her dark, silky locks. Then I’d make love to her in the shower before we made dinner. I’d take her to bed and fuck her until she passed out. Dirtying her up all over again, only to wash her again in the morning to do it all over again. Thoughts like that have been running through my mind all day, and I can’t seem to control them anymore. But maybe it’s because I’ve stopped trying to. Fuck, I don't know how much longer I can last doing this.
Being this close to her is slowly driving me insane. Smelling her, touching her, listening to her laugh and talk. It’s taken everything in me to not grab her and take her to the ground. I feel like one of the wild horses.
After rinsing my release from my body I turn the shower off and step out to dry myself. My cock swiftly comes back to life when I hear Luciana singing in the other room. She does that a lot, I’ve noticed. I close my eyes and listen, wondering what she’s doing right now.
My phone rings, breaking me from the spell. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I walk into my bedroom, grabbing it off my nightstand when I see it’s my brother Ty.
“Hey,” I say placing the phone to my ear.
“Trace canceled all his shit this weekend and was MIA again all day.”
“Fucking hell,” I mutter. I don’t want to deal with this. I know he’s fine. I saw him last night and it seemed like he wanted to be left alone. Not my job to make sure he’s doing what he needs to be doing.
“Yeah, well, MJ isn’t feeling too good, and Dolly said she had plans, so that leaves you.”
“You try to call him?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah,” he sighs, and I can hear he’s tired by the tone of his voice.
“All right. I’ll run over there again and check in,” I tell him before saying my goodbyes. I’m sure Ty has his hands full tonight with a sick pregnant wife and a little one. Going to check on my brother should be no big deal. Maybe Luciana can come with me. We can go to town and grab dinner or something.
I quickly get dressed and make my way to her room, knocking softly on her door. It swings open on its own, and her scent fills my lungs. God, I can’t wait for that smell to be all over this house. All over my bed and me.
Not seeing her in the room, I hear her singing again and follow the sound into the kitchen. She’s sitting at the kitchen island, her bare tan feet swinging away. She’s dressed in a robe. The sight has me stopping in my tracks. She looks so comfortable and at home. She stops singing, a small smile pulling at her lips. Her hair is out of its braid and hangs in wet locks all around her. It looks even longer when it’s down, I think absently.
She stares back at me for God knows how long before she breaks the silence.
“You hungry?” she asks, her eyes roaming over me.
Yeah, but probably not for what she’s thinking. I can’t help but wonder if she’s completely bare under there. If I could drop to my knees and feast on her. Finally fill the hunger that’s been eating me alive for months. But I have a feeling that won’t sate it either.
“Yeah, I need to run over to my brother’s.” I walk over to the other side of the kitchen island, wanting to hide my erection. “Was thinking you could come and we could grab something to eat in town after.”
“Dolly is coming over,” she reminds me. As much as I like that Dolly is trying to make Luciana feel welcome, I want her to myself. But I can tell Luciana isn’t the type to break her plans.
“All right,” I tell her. I know I’ll get to my brother’s and back as soon as possible. I’ll have dinner with them, then push Dolly out the door as fast as I can. After that maybe I can talk Lucy into a movie or take her down to the pond or something. Anything. It’s Friday and we don’t need to be up early tomorrow. I smile, liking that idea.
I come around the island, making it clear I’m coming for her. Her feet stop swinging, and it’s then I notice her toenails are painted a bright red. Jesus, even that’s hot. I’ve never noticed polish on a woman before. Her eyes get big as I crowd into her space. The smell of her melon body wash hits me, and I lean down, wanting to breathe more of it in.
“I’ll be back in a little bit,” I tell her before I place my lips to hers in a soft kiss. Her mouth opens in surprise, and I let my tongue slide in for a moment. Getting a taste of her to hold me over until I get back. When she moans, I pull back fast, knowing this would only go one way if I stayed even a moment longer.
Without another word, I grab my keys and head out the door. I don’t turn back to look at her because I know I wouldn’t be able to close the door behind me if I did. I turn and lock the door before heading to my truck and hopping in to drive to my brother’s place.
; I feel like I took a shot of whiskey, and the buzz doesn’t lessen by the time I finally make it over to Trace’s.
When I pull up, he’s out his door before I can even exit my truck.
“What’s the problem?” he barks, coming down off his porch and straight to me.
“You tell me,” I toss back at him. Movement at one of his windows catches my eyes, drawing them there. But Trace steps into my line of sight.
“I can take days off if I want. It’s my ranch. I can do whatever I like.”
“Not saying you can’t, just saying you’re not acting like yourself is all.”
“Well, I’m telling you I’m fine.” His words are final, and I know he wants me to leave. It’s written in his stance. Then it hits me. I see the possessive glare in his eyes.
“That a woman you got in there?” I nod towards the window his big frame is blocking from my view.
“It’s best you mind your own business and head back out. I’ll call you if I need something. Until then, I’m busy.”
“All right,” I tell him easily, not wanting to fight with him. I want to be here right now as much as he wants me here.
“All right?” he repeats, shocked that I’m not pushing.
“You’re a grown man, Trace, and I don’t give two shits what you’re doing over here,” I tell him as I turn to leave. “Doesn’t mean Dolly will be so inclined.”
“Fuck,” I hear him mumble.
“I’ll tell them you’re fine, but you can only stay off the radar so long before Dolly comes poking. You know how she is. You’re lucky she’s busy poking me right now or she’d already be on you,” I tell him before I close my truck door. Trace shakes his head and turns to head back into his house.