by Tory Baker
Yeah, I wonder if I could pull in some favors. I help her get on Snickers and I climb up onto Rocky and we head for her place.
She’s a couple of paces ahead of me and not only is she beautiful from the front, but her backside is just as amazing.
Her hair is up in this crazy way, with loose tendrils that are curling every which way, her slim shoulders are jutted back, and the way her ass is shaped, like a heart. It took everything in me to keep from taking her on the ground. I’ve wanted Peyton for longer than she probably knows. I waited because I knew she was the one for me.
Having her in my arms again, that’s what I needed. Now, if I can just hold off and not act like a silly teenager.
The last time I held her was in a time of need. Now, it’s a time for both of us to want. Her blue eyes are like the sky after a light snow. Crystal and clear, sooty eye lashes that define them, her smile. Damn, how I love her eyes. It lights up my whole damn world and it’s going to be something I put on her face forever.
“You ready, or are you too old to ride?” Peyton jokes.
“Just making sure you remember how to ride,” I reply with a wink. She kicks her heels and then I’m following behind her. Letting her lead the whole way to her barn.
She’s laughing again as we both dismount our horses and walk them into the barn. I’ll put Rocky in an open stall until I leave.
She takes Snickers and brushes her down while I do the same to mine. Our stalls are side by side, catching her taking glimpses of me here and there puts a smile on my own face.
5
Peyton
Once we’re both done with our horses, I lead Levi into the house. It’s still exactly the way my mother left it and I know I should start redecorating it soon, but I’m not sure what I want. Plus, if I find it too hard to commute, I may have to get a place in town. Especially when the snow hits.
I stomp my feet just thinking about it, when I hear Levi say, “I promise it won’t be too much.”
“It’s not that. Snow season is about to start and what if I get stuck in town? I didn’t think this through when I took a job at the twenty-four-hour clinic. I should have seen if there was anything at the doctors’ offices instead.” I take my hair out of its messy knot and then throw it back in as I continue to rant.
“Maybe someone else will go into rotation or they’ll pick another P.A. up, and then you can choose your shift,” Levi cajoles my rant. He comes up behind me as I’m standing at the kitchen island. His arms wrap around me and he brings me back into him. He soothes me without even knowing it. I drop my shoulders and take a deep breath and let everything out.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t get worked up over something that may not even happen. But the thought of leaving my home. It’s not what I ever envisioned.”
“Take a deep breath, baby.” I do as he says and it should help, but I can’t turn my stupid brain off right now.
“How long have you been getting worked up like this?” he questions.
“Since I left after the funeral. One small thing turns into this huge ball of pressure. I’ve been trying not to start any medication for it and doing yoga, but lately I’ve been riding more and figured it would help. I guess it clearly isn’t, if you caught on to my obnoxiousness this easily,” I blow another breath out.
He spins me around, his arms are behind me. He placed his palms on the counter, and boxed me in.
“Breathe,” he whispers into my ear. I focus in on his scent, the smell of horses, leather, and an underlying scent of pine.
“We’ll get you through this, it’s just going to take time. I promise you this Peyton, I’ll be there every step of the way,” he murmurs.
“Promise?” I question him. I know why I’m making him promise, even though I shouldn’t. I’m alone and I don’t want to be. I’m not attaching myself just because Levi is allowing me. I know without a doubt, that these feelings I have for him are way deeper than they were when he let me cry on his shoulder and held me through it.
“I promise you, baby,” Levi holds me in the kitchen, and we let every noise fade away from us.
6
Levi
I feel like I’ve let Peyton and Jack down. I had no idea she was going through so much inner turmoil. It’s ripping my damn heart apart, seeing her on a verge of a panic attack. That’s something that can’t happen. I’ll be making a phone call first thing tomorrow morning.
Peyton finally calmed down and insisted we get things figured out, money wise, how both ranches would run. She demanded her staff still continue to have jobs and their living quarters. I was in agreement to everything. She doesn’t know it yet, but this will all be ours, sooner rather than later.
I have to give her credit, she stood her ground. She’s the perfect amount of sass and independence all wrapped up in one.
Now I’m back at my ranch and I already miss being around her. I was going to ask her out to dinner, but then she started yawning and I knew it was my cue to leave. She needs her sleep, especially after today.
We didn’t end up going back on that ride I suggested, but I know I’ll be sneaking out of here as fast as I can tomorrow to do just that.
Instead of hitting the hay and going to sleep, I go to my office. Sitting down behind my desk is the last thing I want to do, yet I know it’s necessary. I pull up the contract that we were working on at Peyton’s house and send it to not only my lawyer, but I also to her family lawyer.
I finish my email and then pull out the books to see what needs to be taken care of, when there’s a knock on my office door. I keep an open-door policy for Rick. He can walk in whenever he needs me, though if I have my way and I have Peyton living over here, I’ll have to change that and swiftly.
“Hiya, Levi, got a second for an old geezer like myself?” I laugh as he plops down in the chair in front of my desk and takes his Stetson hat off.
“Always, and if you’re old, then I’m screwed,” I tell him. He’s only in his early forties.
“Just these old bones, anyway. You get everything straightened out at the Johnson ranch?” He’s rubbing his knee and I know if it keeps persisting, I’m gonna have to cart his ass to the doctor’s office.
“Yeah, Peyton and I made a day of it. We both signed off on what we want. Looks like you and Buck will be foremen and we’ll have ranch hands working together. Which I’m fine with. Plus, she asked that they keep their living quarters. I’m just hoping all the men can get along,” I say with an exasperated breath.
“If they don’t, we’ll knock their heads together. Maybe then they’ll get some common sense,” he chuckles.
“That reminds me, I’m hoping to have Peyton over a lot more or I may be over her place. Will you be able to hold things down? At least until I convince her to marry me.” I close out my programs on my computer.
“She’ll be here full time before you know it. I see the way she looks at you, it’s like what I once had, but was too stupid and walked away,” he mumbles, as he gets up and heads for the door.
“You’ll have to tell me about what happened sometime, but believe me, I’m not letting Peyton go,” I get up from my desk and walk him out. After talking to Rick and dealing with the emails, I’m ready to call it a night.
“Maybe, have a good night,” Rick says, as he walks down the front porch steps.
“’Night, see you tomorrow,” I reply and watch until he’s out by the barn and out of eyesight. I couldn’t imagine losing Peyton and I only just got her in my life.
7
Peyton
I tossed and turned all night. I was hoping to at least get some kind of sleep. That was wishful thinking on my part. I was excited to see what today would bring, but also, I’m really nervous about starting my new job in just a few days.
I make my way downstairs, still in my sleep set. No one really comes to the house anymore and Buck, well he’s more of a father than an uncle these days. I know it was hard on him to see both of my parents go. He’s their age now a
nd watched me grow up. It’s something I’m thankful for. I shouldn’t feel like I’m alone in this great big world, but sometimes it’s an all-consuming fear of mine.
Once I make it into the kitchen, I notice the light is on above the oven. “Shit, did I leave that on last night?” I mumble to myself.
“No, baby. You didn’t,” I hear Levi respond. I scream out loud, scaring the shit not just out of me, but now Levi. He’s up out of the chair I noticed he was sitting on and brings me into his body and holds me.
I’m not sure how he knows just what I need, but I swear, this man, he’s the best there ever was.
“Shhh…It’s okay, I didn’t mean to scare you. I have to go into town today and knew I wouldn’t be able to see you later on. So, I figured I’d come over this morning and we could have breakfast together,” he whispers to me.
My heartbeat goes back to normal, but I don’t move away from him. If I could crawl into his warmth and live there, that’s exactly where I’d be.
“I’m okay. I promise, just a fright. I’m not used to anyone being in the house these days. Want to have some breakfast?” I ask him.
“Already brought some food over, but I didn’t want to turn the coffee pot on, so you could sleep.” We part ways, but he’s got his hand on my back and I can feel the heat emanating from the palm of his hand. My pajamas aren’t much more than thin pieces of cotton. I look down at myself to at least see if I’m matching and that’s when I notice. My nipples are standing out like a deer caught in headlights. I quickly cross my arms over my breasts and say, “I’ll be right back and then we can start the coffee.”
I grab a sweater that I keep by the front door and throw it on over my top. It’s oversized and comes down to my thighs. “This will have to do,” I mumble to myself.
“What will have to do?” Levi asks as he continues taking out what looks like breakfast tacos. My stomach takes that moment to growl and we both laugh.
“I guess you’re hungry,” he moves around seamlessly in the kitchen, as if he’s been here a thousand times and I’m guessing he has.
“I had to put my sweater on, it’s cold this morning, and are those from Mrs. Miller's diner?” I respond.
“Want me to turn the heater up? Yeah, they are. She’s got some new staff there and they’re up earlier than me for breakfast these days.” He’s plating our food, so I get started on the coffee.
“Nah, I’m okay now. I can’t believe you brought me breakfast. How do you take your coffee?” I’m sure I already know the answer to this. Most cowboys around these parts take it black and thick as tar.
“Black,” he replies.
“I kind of figured,” I make his coffee and then turn to mine, adding a healthy dose of creamer and then take our mugs to the table, where he has our food plated and ready to eat.
The smell wafting around the kitchen makes it feel like a home again, something I haven’t felt since before Mom passed away. Dad would always try to make sure we had at least one meal together, but most of the time he’d get called out in the middle of it. I never begrudged it, it’s just a way of life.
We eat our food and make small talk. The sun is slowly coming up, and I have a smile on my face.
8
Levi
Every time I see Peyton, I want her more and more. When I have to leave, it guts me.
I saw the tiredness in her eyes when she came down the stairs and heard the tossing and turning while she was asleep. I’m going to have do something about that and fast, or she’s going to run herself into the ground.
She doesn’t know the real reason I’m heading into town and would probably kill me if she knew the truth. I saw the worry in her eyes and the way her shoulders were slumped and looking defeated. My girl won’t have the weight of the world on her shoulders, not when there’s something I can do about it.
Hell, if I had it my way, I’d drive her to work and bring her back home. It’s not really feasible when you’re running a ranch, but if I knew she’d let me without causing a fuss, I would do just that.
Turning into the clinic parking lot, I put my truck in park and step out. I no more than get a step away from the door to the clinic when it opens and out comes Dr. Harlow.
“I knew you’d be down here as soon as her clinic hours were assigned. I should have known better,” he grouses.
“Then why’d you give her those hours?” I ask him.
“’Because I knew you’d be down here, and we could strike up a bargain. I need a new bull. Had to put Rufus down last week,” he says with a chuckle.
“I suppose you want one of mine then?” I question him.
“You got that right. I knew you and Peyton would be a thing. You couldn’t keep your eyes off her if you tried, and that girl, she needs someone like you. I just wanted to see what you’d do for her. Apparently, I’m getting a new bull out of it,” he has a shit eating grin on his face. He got me there. “Yeah, I can’t have her driving like that. Not with everything going on.”
“What’s going on?” he’s concerned now. This is what I love about our town, everyone knows everyone and the concern they have is genuine.
“Ever since Jack passed, she’s not been sleeping as well, and she’s worried more and more,” I take my cowboy hat off and run my fingers through my hair.
I know a way to help her sleep, but what I really think she needs right now is to be wrapped up in me as much as I’m wrapped up in her. Yeah, next time I’ll crawl into bed with her and then maybe she’ll sleep through the night.
“I’ll keep my eye on her here at the clinic and call her today to let her know her hours start at seven in the morning and end at three in the afternoon. I know she’s been through a lot,” he tells me, and I can see the honesty in his facial features. Sure, he wants a bull from me, what he doesn’t know is I would give him my prized bull if it meant making sure Peyton is okay.
“Appreciate it, I’ll drop off your bull this afternoon,” I shake his hand.
“I’ll let my wife know you’ll be down there. Can you put him in the south pasture?” he asks.
“Sure can, thanks Doc,” we part ways and I head back to my truck with a smile on my face.
9
Peyton
It’s been a long day. I decided today that it was time to start clearing things out of the house. Namely my parents’ clothes. My father never got rid of anything related to my mom and I never took the time to go through either of their belongings. It was a hard task, but I knew it needed to be done.
I know there is a lot that can be donated, especially their clothes. What I didn’t expect was it to sneak up on me and my emotions. I’m sitting around a pile of bags and boxes of everything I packed away to donate, bawling my eyes out, when Buck walks in. He sees me and drops to his knees.
“Oh, Peyton girl. It’ll be alright,” he says, with his hand on my shoulder.
I’m inconsolable at this point. I feel him leave and walk out the front door. It’s probably for the better as I sit my ass to the ground, my back to the wall, and cry into my arms that are on top of my knees.
“Shit,” I hear grunted out and look up to see Levi. He’s looking at me with so much concern in his eyes. I hate that he’s seeing me like this, eyes red, skin splotchy. I am not a pretty crier, I definitely give an ugly cry a run for its money.
“I’m okay. I promise,” I say, but he’s already lifting me off of the ground and taking me upstairs to my bedroom.
“Next time, call me, baby. I’ll help you deal with this. You’re not alone. Not now and not ever,” Levi says, with honesty in his voice. He cradles my body even as he lays us down on my bed. He situates us. We’re face to face now, one of his arms is under my neck and he threw my leg over his hip, bringing us even closer together.
“I thought it wouldn’t hurt this bad, but it did. I’m sorry for being such a mess,” I whisper. My eyes close and I find the hollow of his neck, taking in his familiar scent and melting into him.
“You’re
not a mess. Life is hard right now, but we’ll get you through this,” he says, as he kisses the top of my head. I slowly calm down and it’s then that I realize just how close we are. My leg hitched over his hip has me feeling him in the best way possible.
My emotions shouldn’t go from crying to turned on in the next hour, yet when I’m around Levi he makes me feel in the best possible way.
I move closer into him. “Peyton,” he grunts.
“Yes?”
“You keep doing that baby, and I’m going to do more than you’re ready for,” he says with a sigh, yet he doesn’t loosen his hold on me or where we seem to be connected in a very intimate way. I’m only wearing yoga pants and a college state shirt. It makes me feel his impressive hard on, that seems to want to come out of his jeans.
I rock my hips to feel him more, and he holds me steady, “Not yet, soon though. Let’s get through this next week and I promise baby, when you’re ready. You’ll be mine in every way possible.”
“Okay,” I moan out, still trying to find the friction that I need. I can feel myself climbing higher and higher.
“Baby,” he moans as we both give into our need, he thrusts up as I grind down on his length.
“Oh, god,” I cry out as I come like I never have before. Granted it’s always to my own hand. This though, it’s other worldly.
“Fuck,” Levi groans and it’s then that I know we both gave each other pleasure.
