Ranch Daddy

“Here”—he took his phone, tapped on the screen a few times, and handed it back—“do this one now.”

The next quiz gave a few different options, and they were more general: biologist, working with animals, lab tech.

“Veterinarian still fits. What do you think?”

I didn’t know what to think. There had been a time as a kid when I’d wanted to be a vet, but wasn’t that true for most kids? “I’ll think about it. I do like working with animals.”

“You have plenty of related options like being a lab tech in a veterinary clinic. You’d be inside but be doing varied things that have purpose.”

“I’ll keep that in mind too.”

“I want you to set some concrete goals.”

I grimaced, and Blake scowled. “Boy, you’re not leaving the ranch without a plan. Thinking about options is fine, but you need to take action.”

I knew he was right. If I didn’t commit to something, I was going to ass around contemplating all my options, get overwhelmed, and end up wasting a lot more time.

“All right. But I’ll probably need some help.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

Blake talked me through creating a plan that included learning more about the requirements needed to become a vet, learning about other careers in veterinary medicine, researching schools, and learning about other lab work jobs and the degrees I would need to do them. I had to finish all of this in the next two weeks.

“What happens if I forget to do all this?”

Blake raised his brows. “I’ll sit you down and have you do it with me watching over you.”

“And then?”

“I’ll remind you how important it is to follow through with promises you make to me.”

Without even thinking I reached down and rubbed my ass.

Blake chuckled. “I have other ways to discipline you.”

“But you said you wouldn’t—”

“I said I wouldn’t keep you from getting the comfort and pleasure you need, and I will never take away your time with the animals. That still leaves a lot of other options.”

“I’ll get all this done, Daddy. I swear.”

“I know you will, boy. And if you need help, you can ask me. I just want you to try on your own first.”

“I will. I can do it.”

Blake drew me to him, and I buried my face against his neck. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I still didn’t like thinking about leaving the ranch, but Blake was right. It would be a lot easier for me if I had a plan and a new direction. Maybe, if I did go to vet school, I could focus on large animals and when Blake had a ranch of his own, I could find a job nearby, and…

I was getting way ahead of myself. By then he’d surely have found someone else. I would never expect him to wait all those years for me. He deserved to find someone, settle down, and be happy.

23

Blake

When Riley sat back and looked at me with his bright blue eyes, I knew without a doubt I was in love with him. Maybe once he’d found his own path, we could… Or maybe he’d find someone else along the way.

Riley reached for the plate of truffles. “Which one do you want to try next?”

“You pick.”

He selected a caramel one, bit into it, then brought the other half to my lips. Caramel had dripped onto his fingers and I licked it off before using my tongue to draw the chocolate into my mouth. He sighed as I chewed it. It was as delicious as the other varieties had been.

Riley smiled at me, and my heart tripped over itself. “This was such a good idea, Blake: the room, the champagne, the chocolate. You make me feel… I don’t know. Cherished? That sounds cheesy, but—”

“No. That’s how I want you to feel.”

I picked up one of the mocha truffles, and did the same thing he’d done, biting into it and offering him the rest. He took hold of my wrist, after deliberately smearing chocolate on my fingers, he ate the truffle, and then cleaned me up. When he’d finished, he looked like he wanted to ask something.

“What is it, boy?”

“You said we should take the edge off earlier because you wanted to…”

“Slowly explore every inch of you?”

Riley nodded. “I was just wondering if you were ready to do that now.”

“More than ready.”

“What about the champagne?” He glanced at the half-full bottle. “It will go flat.”

I shrugged. “I’d rather have you in my mouth.”

Riley grabbed my hand and stood. “I can handle that.”

I surprised him by scooping him into my arms, bridal style, and carrying him to the bed.

I dropped him onto the mattress, and he laughed, positioning himself closer to the head of the bed and opening his legs to invite me between them. When I settled there, he reached for me like he wanted my weight on him. I shook my head as I yanked at the tie of his robe and spread it open. “Arms over your head and keep them there.”