by Marie , J
“What’s all this for, darlin’?”
“Bringing you breakfast in bed.”
“You didn’t have to bring me breakfast. You could’ve just brought yourself. I’d gladly feast on you for a while.”
“Beau Montgomery! You were shot three days ago and in no condition to have sex.”
I tossed my head back and laughed, “I can’t help it. With your fine ass hanging around me all the time, I can’t help wanting you so damn bad.”
“I don’t know, Beau.”
“Tell you what, I will lay here innocently with a boner and you can ride me. Therefore, I’m not technically doing much of the work and I can sit back and watch your amazing breasts bounce as you use me to pleasure yourself. Will that make you feel better?”
“Beau, you are terrible and crass. You’ve got a plan for everything, don’t you?”
“When it comes to having my girl and making her come? Hell, yes. Now, do we have a deal? You can be on top, but I don’t want to wait another minute for you.”
“If anything causes pain, you will tell me immediately. I’m still not sure if this is a good idea.” She bit her bottom lip and it just turned me on more.
“Cassidy Mae, we’re alive. You said yes to marrying me. Our life is turning into a happily ever after. I want to celebrate… with sex.” I winked at her and she shook her head.
“Well, how could I say no to that?”
“Easy—you say yes.”
I stripped slowly, giving her a slow tease. First my shirt, then I let my sweatpants fall to the ground and stepped out of them.
She quickly stripped in front of me and I silently thanked God for this woman. Her eyes roamed up to my neck and sadness crossed her face for a brief moment and then it was gone. My eyes met hers and she looked at me with so much love, that I never wanted to look away.
“I love you, Beau Montgomery. Always and forever.”
She would never know how much those three little words meant to my soul. Hearing it out loud was the best gift she could’ve ever gifted me.
“I love you too, Cass. So much.” I walked back and laid down on the bed, careful not to move my neck and shoulder too much.
“Darlin’ come over here,” I patted the bed beside me, and she sat down. Fingertips trailed lightly over my hair covered chest. I laid motionless, letting her examine every inch of my skin, lighting me on fire with want from the inside out. I forced myself to just feel her. Feel her skin touching mine. Her breath against me. Her hair as it fell over her shoulders and dragged along my chest as she pressed tender kisses on a path from my abs, up my chest, and nibbled on my neck.
She paused and looked up at me, worry filling her eyes. “I just don’t want to hurt you.”
“Cass, I’m a big boy. Please, I want you.”
She looked down at my neck bandage again, “Beau, I-”
“Darlin’ I need to be in you like my next breath. Please don’t deny me the pleasure of feeling you on me.”
“I just love you so much. I was so bound and determined to not let you in, Beau Montgomery. One look at you and I knew that you’d be my downfall into love again. You’ve shown me time and time again what it means to love. What it means to be loved. Truly loved and I could never thank you enough.”
A tear slipped down her cheek and I reached up to wipe it off. Fire sparked inside her eyes as she slid down onto me. My gaze locked with hers, and I felt every inch, every breath, as I entered her.
“Shit,” I said.
“What, did I hurt you?” She asked, starting to lift off me.
“No, I did it again. Condom?”
She shook her head and lifted her palm to my cheek. “I don’t want anything separating us anymore, cowboy. I want to feel you. All of you. I think it’s about damn time.”
I leaned up to kiss her. “You’re so damn beautiful, and I can’t believe you’re mine.”
“Always and forever, written in the stars.”
She slid back down onto me and this time I reveled in the feeling of her warm body cradling mine. I grabbed onto the sheets as she sunk to the hilt. I needed to slow this down, because I needed her to come before I did. A country boy didn’t accept anything less. In this position, that may just prove to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done with how her hips feel each time she rotates them over me. My hand slipped between us, finding her bundle of nerves and I worked it lightly. My neck was starting to hurt something fierce, but I pushed away the pain. I wanted her more than I cared about the pain and I wasn’t about to ask her to stop.
She clenched around me and I couldn’t stop the wave crashing inside me. I placed my hands on her waist and moved her back and forth as I pumped into her chasing the wave. The way pleasure seeped through her into the room had me falling more in love with her, moment by moment. Second by second. I was becoming hers all over again and I never wanted to stop.
“Beau! Beau! I’m coming,” she cried out and moisture flooded over my cock.
The pain in my neck was almost unbearable, but I pushed through again. I wanted this release so bad it hurt. I needed it. Needed her. We were raw passion and love wrapped up in each other so far that I couldn’t take it any longer. I shouted her name as I found my release inside of her, stars forming behind my eyes.
We rode out the aftershocks of our pleasure. I didn’t move from her body, but enjoyed the feel of her still wrapped around me. After a few moments our breathing calmed, she climbed off me, and I watched her fine ass walk into the bathroom. She returned with a warm washcloth to wipe me down. I could feel how much she cared for me. This was love. I’d never felt an emotion so strong in my life. Her eyes trailed up and down my body, landing on my neck yet again.
“Are you doing okay?”
I nodded, breathing in and out slowly. Reveling in the memories of what had just happened. Making love to my fiancée. “I couldn’t be better. I’ve got you.”
“Charmer, do you need pain meds? I saw you wince a couple times. You’ve got to be in pain, cowboy. You can tell me. I won’t expose your secrets.” She winked at me.
“My secrets about how I make you come and squirt like the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my damn life? I would never share those secrets with anyone, babe. Those are purely for me to be used up here,” I said, pointing to my head.
“Naughty…”
“You love it.”
“I love you and a painkiller would be amazing right now.”
She pulled my shirt on over her head and left the room in search of pain meds. As I laid there, I still couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in these last few months. I had my dream girl, in my life, in my bed, and most importantly in my heart. A feeling of warmth spread over my body, and I knew it was love. Her love.
It felt good to be up and moving around, doing chores on the farm again. It’d been a month since I got out of the hospital. I was going stir crazy since Reagan and Cassidy Mae hadn’t let me do anything productive and I was losing my mind. I couldn’t sit in the house anymore and twiddle my thumbs while everyone else went on with their lives.
Cass had been working with Zeus every day since I came home. They were bonded now. He’d follow her around in the field, whinny when she walked in the barn, searching her pockets for the sugar cubes he knew she always carried. Watching the two of them work was something awe-inspiring. Two rescues coming together to find peace, love, and trust with one another. It was something you could never pay to see.
This is why I had the farm. This is the reason I decided to stick to this little town and make my life here. She just added to it. She was the last piece of this puzzle.
A cool breeze ran through the barn as Remington walked up behind me. I’d just put Apache in cross ties to brush him down for a ride. I needed a ride. A moment to sit atop a horse and be free because this not doing stuff was too confining for my liking.
“And just what in tarnation do you think you’re doing? You been cleared by the doc for manual labor?”
&n
bsp; I glanced over my shoulder at him, “Yes, mother.”
His eyebrow lifted, “Cass know about this outing?”
“Not yet.”
“Hey, some guy dropped this off at the barn earlier today. Thought I’d give it to you first.”
I looked down at the envelope he held in his hands. Cassidy’s name was written in cursive across the front in bold black. I wanted to tear it open immediately and find out what was waiting inside, but I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. Cass needed to know about it.
“Thanks, man,” I said folding it and putting it into my back pocket.
He raised an eyebrow. “You ain’t gonna open it to see what’s inside?”
I shook my head. “Nope, it aint mine to open. I’m gonna walk this into the house real quick. Leave Apache tied up. I’ll be back.”
“Your call, boss. I’m ‘bout to head out. Got a reservation at that restaurant you suggested. Picking up Faith in a few.”
“Good for you, man. Get your girl. You think of that something special for her?”
He turned to walk away from me. “Sure did. You know, she slipped and kissed me the other day.”
“You must be doing something right then.”
“I sure hope so.”
I heard the front door creak as it opened and Beau appeared with an unsure look on his face. My feet carried me to him. “What’s wrong? What happened? Are you in pain?”
“No, nothing like that Cass.”
He handed me an envelope with my name written on the front. I searched his eyes, questioning if he knew what was inside it, “What is this?”
“I don’t know. Remy gave it to me. Said some guy dropped it off for you this morning. Didn’t leave his name, just said it was for you.”
Weird.
“Okay, then. Let’s open it.”
I squeezed the tabs together and pulled the envelope open. Inside were three tiny pieces of paper. As I pulled them out, my heart skipped a beat.
What does this mean?
The three small papers fell to the ground as I checked the envelope for any other information. Bending down, I leaned over to pick up the papers.
Vivere una vita bella e intensa. Live a Full, Beautiful Life.
The other two papers were the newspaper articles. One was what Devin had shown me in the barn. The date was from the week after I left. Andrew had been truly dead for months, like I’d thought all along. I finally had closure. He was gone for good and would never hurt me again. The other was an article showing Devin’s arrest and charges. It was all over. The players, and villains were in their rightful places. One in the ground, one in jail, and one free. I guess the Italians felt that it was safe for me to know the truth. I was no longer a threat or loose end to anybody. I could live. Live freely and happily. A simple, blissful life in the country.
“Is that?” Beau spoke over my shoulder.
“Yes, it’s the same article that Devin had about Andrew’s death. He’s truly gone.”
“How are you feeling right now?” He asked tentatively.
“I’m not really sure, to be honest. I’ve assumed he was dead for months, but now it’s real. He’s gone. Never again will he be able to ruin my life. I won’t have to look over my shoulder. I have closure.”
“You know what else? One bad ending gives us our chance at a new beginning. We’re free to get married. Cassidy Mae, we can get married now,” He whisper-shouted, emotion flowing through his words.
A wide smile spread across my face and I couldn’t believe how happy that made me. I no longer felt like getting married again would tie me down. I’d be equal partners with Beau. His best friend, his soul mate. Fate gave us a gift, love.
4 Months Later
We were getting married in three days. It’d taken a couple months to get everything figured out and to plan. I was happy.
So happy.
In three short days, I would be Mrs. Cassidy Mae Montgomery. The past left in the past where it should be. No longer a Peterson. All those doodles in my high school journals came back to my mind. Somehow those journals knew all those years ago that we’d end up together, or at least that’s what I choose to believe. We were having the wedding ceremony at Willow Springs Stables. A field wedding behind the barn with only close friends and family. My mama had been helping me plan the wedding and everything was going just as planned. Reagan was turning into a crazy bridesmaid-zilla if that even was a thing. She kept telling me that it all had to be perfect. Our love needed to start out perfect. I knew perfect didn’t exist, but I knew that our love was strong and it could conquer anything.
Beau came over, looping his arms around me and kissed my forehead like always. “Okay, Mrs. Almost Montgomery. Anything I need to do? Are we set up?”
“Yep, it’s all set. You nervous about being married, Beau Montgomery?”
His grin was panty-melting, “As long as the sex is as hot as it is now, I’ll be quite content.”
I swatted at him, “Beau Montgomery, you are one dirty cowboy.”
He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Only for my dirty cowgirl. Guy’s gotta keep up with these naughty things.”
Lifting my hands to his face, I leaned in and kissed him deeply. I loved this man, so much. He’d taken a bullet for me. He’d held me when I cried. Loved me when I was afraid to try. Didn’t give up on me one bit. He was my stronghold in these crazy seas of life. Our kiss turned deeper and a moan left my lips.
“You both make me sick with your mushy-gushy grossness. Go. Get. A. Room.” We looked over at Reagan with her scrunched up face and both cracked up laughing.
“If you got a problem with this little sister, you may want to make other living plans for the week after the wedding. We plan on being extra loud and naughty all over that house.” he said pointing to our home.
“Gross. I’ll be staying elsewhere for sure.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “Do you want to go on a honeymoon, darlin’? I’d like to take you somewhere nice.”
My hand came up to his face, “I don’t care about that, Beau. I just care about living the best life we can together while we have it.”
Reagan and my mother had gone dress shopping with me for a weekend away last month. My mother told me that she knew the moment I started staying at the ranch that I wouldn’t ever leave. She told me she could see the way Beau looked at me and treated me right. That he was my perfect man and I wasn’t allowed to ever let him go. I could make it on my own here if I needed to, but I was glad I didn’t have to. I had people that loved me. For me.
My thoughts returned to my dress as I stood in front of the mirror in our bedroom. It was a simple short white lace gown. I’d had the big fancy dress once and look where that got me. This time I was going simple and gorgeous. Reagan had weaved a blue ribbon through my half updo. The dress was strapless, with a sweetheart neckline so I went sans bra. My boots had blue patterns stitched in them and I had picked out red panties, Beau’s favorite color, that read Bride on them.
A light tap on the door caused me to flinch. I was so lost in the moment that I hadn’t realized it was almost time to go. “Come in,” I hollered.
“We just came to check on the beautiful bride.” I turned as Faith and Reagan walked into the room behind me. “You’re something, Cass. You look amazing in this dress.”
“You don’t think it’s too simple?” I asked.
“No, it’s perfect on you and I know once Beau sees you, he’s going to freak out at how gorgeous his wife is today.”
I turned back to the mirror and fiddled with my dress. I chewed on my bottom lip and Reagan squeezed my shoulders. “Hey, don’t be nervous. That man out there has been in love with you since the first day he saw you. He’s going to love you until you die, probably holding each other’s hands. You want to wait in here any longer or are you ready to go get your man?”
I nodded, “I’m ready. Wait, how does he look?”
“Well… I won’t comment on my brother�
��s looks but…”
“I ain’t never seen him in a tux, but dang that man fills one out nicely,” Faith smiled shyly. “He looks real good, Cassidy Mae.”
We made our way out of the room and walked down the stairs, meeting my father at the bottom. “You ready, baby girl?”
I nodded as he walked over to me, handing me my bouquet of purple and red flowers.
“I’m so happy for you, Cassidy Mae. You look even more beautiful every time I see you.”
“You have to say that, Papa. It’s ingrained in your brain.”
“I must admit, I’m a little biased.” He chuckled and I watched one solitary tear slip from his eye.
“Don’t cry, Papa. I’ll ruin my makeup.” He wiped his eyes and smiled.
“Okay, we ready to do this?”
“Yes.”
Reagan giggled and nudged my shoulder. “Last chance. You tell me you want to run now; I’ll drive the getaway car. Beau may be my brother, but you’ll always be my best friend first.”
“I’m not running. Not anymore.”
The field had been lined with chairs, not many as it was only friends and family, but enough. Beau and I would say our vows under a canopy of red and purple flowers, a bright pop against the light blue sky. Fall was here now and the breeze felt colder. I couldn’t believe how much had changed in the eight months since I’d moved back. I never thought it would lead me here. I couldn’t picture anything better though. A breeze ran over my shoulders and I pulled my shawl tighter around me.
I came to the end of the aisle and couldn’t stop looking at my man. Faith was right. He looked perfect, the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on. I almost stumbled, but Papa caught me and smiled. He knew I was head over heels in love with this man. Beau smiled at me and I couldn’t help the tears of joy that fell down my cheeks. I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love again, but I’d fallen head over heels in love and every day I fell more and more in love with him.
When Papa placed my hand in Beau’s I was lost. Lost in this moment with him, completely consumed. Lost in all the memories that we’d had since I’d come home. I didn’t hear anything else. I felt the tender touch of his skin as he rubbed his thumb over my hands during the whole ceremony. I saw his lips when he mouthed, I love you to me. When we said our vows, I cried and when Beau said his I lost it just a little bit more. Reagan leaned over with a tissue and I tried my best to blot my eyes, but it was impossible. Everything about this moment was perfect.
