Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

"Well, you don't have to do anything. I'll keep him away from you. He's not getting on this property. Do you understand? I'm going to call in a favor and have your father watched, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have people dispatched looking for you."

"Since I'm an adult, it's legal for me to leave without telling a soul where I'm going."

"That's true, but since he's willing to beat you, I can't imagine him not attempting to use nefarious and illegal means to find you."

"Thank you for understanding." I can't believe it.

"You don't have to thank me. It's my pleasure to take care of you. This isn't something I do. I'm not a player or a playboy. I didn't fuck around as a professional. I didn't say I was a choir boy either, but, well, what I'm trying to say is this isn't just sex for me."

"It's the same. This isn't something I do every day. From the moment you startled me, I felt a need to be in your arms. I don't know what it is or what it means, but we have three months to figure it out." I ignore that last bit because I already know what it is. She's mine, and I'm going to do all I can to convince her to stay. The sex is definitely one hell of a selling point, but I'm going to make her feel so damn special, she'll never want anyone else to love her the way I do. Because I'm sure that I'm already in love. Every little detail, every nuance I learn about her, only makes me hungry for more.

I spin her onto her back and lean over her. "While we do that. How about we finish dinner?"

"Oh my. I'm going to have to make the noodles over again. That batch is most definitely ruined."

"I'll help." I drop my mouth onto hers, kissing her until we're breathless. I look at the clock and it's almost ten thirty, so I get up because I'm more than starving and I know Ava is as well.

****

She goes into the kitchen with just my flannel and her panties on. The red and black plaid material is buttoned just to the top of her cleavage, falling to the bottom of her ass. When she raises her arms I get a sweet view of her white panties. I watch her as she moves around the kitchen looking sexy as hell. Even as she stirs the sauce, I'm fascinated. Her long blonde hair is flowing free down her back, and I feel like the luckiest man around. As if sensing my stare, she turns to look at me with a half smile.

"What do you need me to do, babe?"

"Sit there and look handsome. Better yet, how about you get us some wine."

"That works for me." When she's finished straining the noodles, she puts them on our plates, topping them off with creamy chicken and broccoli alfredo sauce.

"Let's go eat by the fireplace, babe." I take the plates, and she grabs the wine and our glasses. The blankets and pillows are set up nicely for us to enjoy the blaze. I set down our plates on the coffee table that I pushed to the side so that I can stoke the fire. We turn the television on to the annual countdown, but it’s on low because we’re focused on us. Settling down on the rugs and pillows, we sit with our legs crossed and our pasta in our laps.

“This smells delicious, Ava.”

“Thank you.” We dig in and both let out tiny moans. Our eyes meet, and we let out a laugh.

“Do you think we’ll ever stop being this horny for each other?”

“I don’t want to make you sore, but I sure as fuck hope not. John and Landon still chase their wives around.” And I’ve stuck my foot in my mouth. We haven’t even gotten to that part in our relationship.

“Here’s to passion.” We lightly clink our glasses, giving us time from the heavy topic. Not that I’m not prepared to ask her to marry me. I purchased the ring the day after I met her. She doesn’t need to know that, though—at least not yet.

We’re almost done with our food when I’ve had enough dinner. I look over to Ava and see that she’s already set down her plate and wine glass on the table. A tiny drop of sauce landed on the top of her large breast. I lean in and say, “You spilled some sauce.” Dipping my tongue out, I swipe it off and groan. “You taste so good.”

“Tobias. Just so you know—I’m not sore at all.”

“I need to fix that. I want you to feel me with every step you take,” I whisper, kissing my way up her slender neck while I slide my hand down her stomach and then over her hip. Slowly we continue to lose ourselves, missing the countdown as we cry out our releases.